Ritu (Hindu season)
A ritu is one of the six Indian seasons, each about two months long: Vasanta (spring), Grishma (summer), Varsha (monsoon), Sharad (autumn), Hemanta (pre-winter) and Shishira (winter).
Also known as: Rutu, Rithu, Hindu seasons, Six seasons, Shad ritu
The Indian year has six ritus rather than four seasons, which suits the subcontinent’s climate with its distinct monsoon and early winter. Each ritu spans two months: Vasanta, Grishma, Varsha, Sharad, Hemanta and Shishira, in that order, beginning with spring.
Traditional panchangs name the ritu from the lunar month: Chaitra and Vaishakha are Vasanta, Jyeshtha and Ashadha are Grishma, and so on, ending with Magha and Phalguna as Shishira. Some panchangs also show a ritu based on the Sun’s actual seasonal (tropical) position, which usually begins about a month earlier, so the two labels can differ for weeks at a time. Our Panchang shows both, and south of the equator it turns the ritus by half a year so that Vasanta falls in the local spring.
Ritus shape Ayurvedic seasonal routines (ritucharya), give their names to festivals such as Vasant Panchami and Sharad Purnima, and colour classical poetry and music. They are mainly a guide to the season and to living in step with it.