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{{short description|Traditional seasons of the Indian calendar}}
{{other uses|Ritu (disambiguation){{!}}Ritu}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2014}}

'''Ritu''' ({{langx|sa|ऋतु}}) means "[[season]]" in different ancient Indian calendars used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. There are six '''ritus''' (also transliterated '''ritu''') or '''seasons'''. Seasons are different times of the year and there are 12 months in the year. Every month has its own special season. The word is derived from the [[Vedic Sanskrit]] word [[Ṛtú]], a fixed or appointed time, especially the proper time for sacrifice ([[yajna]]) or ritual in [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic religion]]; this in turn comes from the word [[Ṛta]] (ऋत), as used in [[Vedic Sanskrit]] literally means the "order or course of things". This word is used in nearly all Indian languages.

== Nepalese and Indian calendars ==
Nepal and India observes six [[Seasons|ecological seasons]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mypanchang.com/ritus.php|title = Ritus, Seasons and Vedic Calendar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.drikpanchang.com/seasons/season-tropical-timings.html|title = Indian Seasons, Indian Ritus Start Date and Timings for New Delhi, NCT, India}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:; border;1px"ritu
!No.
!Ritu
![[Season]]
![[Hindu calendar|Hindu lunar months]]
![[Gregorian calendar|Gregorian month]]
!Characteristics
!Seasonal festivals
|-
|1
|[[Vasanta (season)|Vasanta]] वसन्त
|[[Spring (season)|Spring]]
|[[Chaitra]] and [[Vaishakha]]
| March & April
|Temperature around 20-30 degrees celsius; [[March equinox|vernal equinox]] occurs in the middle of this season. First spring harvest along with harvest festivals.
|[[Ugadi]], [[Gudi Padwa]], [[Holi]], [[Rama Navami]], [[Puthandu]], [[Vishu]], [[Rongali Bihu]], [[Baisakhi]], [[Hanuman Jayanti]]
|-
|2
|[[Grishma|Grīṣma]] ग्रीष्म
|[[Summer]]/Hot Season
|[[Jyeshtha (month)|Jyeshtha]] and [[Ashadha]]
|~ May & June
|Very hot, temperatures up to 45-50 degrees celsius; [[summer solstice]] occurs. This is one of the two typical Indian/ Hindu Marriage Seasons.
|[[Vat Pournima|Vat Purnima]], [[Rath Yatra|Ratha Yatra]], [[Guru Purnima]]
|-
|3
|[[Varsha (season)|Varṣā]] वर्षा
|[[Monsoon]]/Rainy Season
|[[Shravana]] and [[Bhadrapada]]
|~ July & August
|Very hot, very humid and heavy monsoon rains; begins with the lunar month after the [[summer solstice]].
|[[Raksha Bandhan]], [[Krishna Janmaashtami|Krishna Janmashtami]], [[Ganesh Chaturthi]], [[Nuakhai]], [[Onam]], Gurujonar Tithi, [[Mahalaya]] [[Amavasya]]
|-
|4
|[[Sharad (season)|Sharada]] शरत्
|[[Autumn]]
|[[Ashwin|Ashvin]]a or Ashvayuja and [[Kartika (month)|Kartika]]
|~ Late- September, October & mid-November
|Mild temperatures; 19-25 degrees celsius; [[September equinox|autumnal equinox]] occurs in the middle of this season. First autumn harvest occurs along with harvest festivals. Some trees in the Himalayas or upper elevations change colors much like in northern latitudes across the world.
|[[Navaratri]], [[Vijayadashami]], [[Sharad Purnima]], [[Bihu|Kati Bihu]], [[Diwali|Deepavali]], [[Dhanatrayodashi]], [[Kartik Purnima]]
|-
|5
|[[Hemanta (season)|Hemanta]]
हेमन्त
|Pre-[[Winter]]/Cool Season
|[[Margashirsha]] ([[Agrahayana]]) and [[Pausha]]
|~ Late November & December
|Very pleasant temperatures; generally, 19-25 degrees celsius; ends with the [[winter solstice]]. Some trees in the Himalayas and other hills completely shed their leaves much like in northern latitudes across the world.
| (mid-winter celebration)
Margashira Mahotsavam. Music Season with a number of Indian [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] classical music and dance concerts. [[Thai Pongal]], [[Sankranthi|Sankranti]] are celebrated during the month of Pausha.
|-
|6
|[[Shishira (season)|Shishira]] शिशिर
|[[Winter]]/Cold Season
|[[Magha (month)|Magha]] and [[Phalguna]]
|~ January & February
|Moderately cold, but pleasant during occasional sunshine; temperatures may decrease below 10 degrees celsius. This season is typical to tropical and subtropical regions because trees actually shed their leaves in this season in tropical areas; starts with the [[winter solstice]].
|[[Shivaratri]], [[Magh Bihu]] [[Shigmo]]
|-
|}

==East Indian calendars==
East Indian calendars (Bengali, Assamese, Odia and Mithila) start their new year on Mesh Sankranti. The season names corresponds to the Sanskrit Vasanta, Grishma, Varsha, Sharada, Hemanta, Shishira order.
The [[Bengali Calendar]] is similar to the Sanskrit calendar above, but differs in start and end times which moves certain dates/days around (i.e., Vasant Panchami occurs here in Vasant ritu but in the calendar above, it occurs in Shishir as that is the Magha Shukla Panchami). The East Indian Calendar has the following seasons or ritus:

===Assamese Calendar===
Seasons in the [[Assamese Calendar]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Assamese season
! Start
! End
! Assamese months
! English
|-
| Grishmo
(গ্রীষ্মকাল)
| Mid-April
| Mid-June
| [[Bohag]], [[Jeth (Assamese calendar)|Jeth]]
| [[Summer]]
|-
| Borkha
(বর্ষাকাল)
| Mid-June
| Mid-August
| [[Ahaar]], [[Xaaun]]
| [[Monsoon]]
|-
| Xorot
(শৰৎকাল)
| Mid-August
| Mid-October
| [[Bhado (Assamese calendar)|Bhado]], [[Ahin (Assamese calendar)|Ahin]]
| [[Autumn|Early Autumn]]
|-
| Hemanta
(হেমন্তকাল)
| Mid-October
| Mid-December
| [[Kati (Assamese calendar)|Kati]], [[Aghun (Assamese calendar)|Aghun]]
| [[Autumn|Late Autumn]]
|-
| Heat
(শীতকাল)
| Mid-December
| Mid-February
| [[Pooh (Assamese calendar)|Pooh]], [[Magh (Assamese calendar)|Magh]]
| [[Winter]]
|-
| Boxonto
(বসন্তকাল)
| Mid-February
| Mid-April
| [[Phagun]], [[Sot (Assamese calendar)|Sot]]
| [[Spring (Season)|Spring]]
|}

=== Bengali Calendar ===
Seasons in the [[Bengali Calendar]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Bangla Ritu
! Bengali Months
! English Equivalent
! Gregorian Months
|-
|গ্রীষ্ম
(Grishsho)
|বৈশাখ-জ্যৈষ্ঠ
(Boishakh-Joishtho)
|[[Summer]]
|Mid April - Mid June
|-
|বর্ষা
(Borsha)
|আষাঢ়-শ্রাবণ
(Aasharh-Shrabon)
|[[Monsoon]]
|Mid June - Mid August
|-
|শরৎ
(Shorot)
|ভাদ্র-আশ্বিন
(Bhadro-Aashshin)
|[[Autumn]]
|Mid August - Mid October
|-
|হেমন্ত
(Hemonto)
|কার্তিক-অগ্রহায়ণ
(Kartick-Ogrohayon)
|[[Early Winter]]
|Mid October - Mid December
|-
|শীত
(Śīta)
|পৌষ-মাঘ
(Poush-Maagh)
|[[Winter]]
|Mid December - Mid February
|-
|বসন্ত
(Bosonto)
|ফাল্গুন-চৈত্র
(Falgun-Choitro)
|[[Spring (season)|Spring]]
|Mid February - Mid April
|}

===Maithili Calendar===
Seasons in the [[Tirhuta Panchang|Maithili Calendar]]:

{| class = "wikitable"
|-
! Maithili Ritu
! English Equivalent
! Maithili Months
! Gregorian Months
|-
| ग्रीष्म
(Grishma)
| [[Summer]]
| [[Baisakha]]-[[Jyeshtha (month)|Jyeshtha]]
| Mid-April to mid-June
|-
| वर्षा
(Barkha)
| [[Monsoon]]
| [[Ashadha]], [[Shravana]]
| Mid-June to mid-August
|-
| शरद
(Sharad)
| [[Autumn]]
| [[Bhādrapada]], [[Āshvina]]
| Mid-August to mid-October
|-
| हेमन्त
Hemanta
| [[Late-Autumn]]
| [[Kārtika (month)|Kārtika]], [[Mārgashīrsha]]/[[Agrahayana]]
| Mid-October to mid-December
|-
| शिशिर
(Shishir)
| [[Winter]]
| [[Pausha]], [[Māgha|Magh]]
| Mid-December to mid-February
|-
| वसन्त
(Basanta)
| [[Spring (season)|Spring]]
| [[Phalgun]], [[Chaitra]]
| Mid-February to mid-April
|}

===Odia Calendar===
Seasons in the [[Odia calendar]]:

{| class="wikitable"
! Odia Ritu
! Season
! Odia months
! Gregorian
|-
| ଗ୍ରୀଷ୍ମ Grisma
| [[Summer]]
| Baiśākha–Jyeṣṭha
| April–June
|-
| ବର୍ଷା Barsā
| [[Monsoon]]
| Āṣāṛha–Śrābaṇa
| June–August
|-
| ଶରତ Sarata
| [[Autumn]]
| Bhādraba–Āświna
| August–October
|-
| ହେମନ୍ତ Hemanta
| Pre-[[Winter]]
| Kārttika–Mārgaśira
| October–December
|-
| ଶୀତ Sita
| [[Winter]]
| Pauṣa–Māgha
| December–February
|-
| ବସନ୍ତ Basanta
| [[Spring (season)|Spring]]
| Phālguna–Chaitra
| February–April
|-
|}

==South Indian calendars==
===Malayalam Kannada Telugu Calendar ===
The [[Malayalam calendar]] or Kollam Era, a [[Solar calendar|solar]] and [[Sidereal time|sidereal]] [[Hindu calendar]] used in [[Kerala]], and in Karnataka they follows a pattern of six seasons slightly different from North Indian Calendars.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:; border;1px"ritu
!
!Ritu
![[Season]]
![[Malayalam calendar|Malayalam solar months]]
![[Hindu calendar|Sanskrit solar months]]
![[Gregorian calendar|Gregorian months]]
!Seasonal festivals
|-
|1
|Vasantam വസന്തം వసంతం ವಸಂತ ಋತು
|[[Spring (season)|Spring]]
|Makaram (second half)-Kumbham-Meenam (first half)
|[[Makara (month)|Makara]] (second half)-[[Kumbha (month)|Kumbha]]-[[Mīna]] (first half)
|February & March
|[[Vasant Panchami|Vasantha Panchami]], [[Holi]]
|-
|2
|Grishmam ഗ്രീഷ്മം గ్రీష్మం
ಗ್ರೀಷ್ಮಋತು
|[[Summer]]
|Meenam (second half)-Medam-Idavam (first half)
|[[Mīna]] (second half)-[[Meṣa]]-[[Vṛṣabha]] (first half)
|April & May
|[[Vishu]]
|-
|3
|[[Monsoon of India|Varsham]] വർഷം వర్షాకాలం ವರ್ಷ ಋತು
|[[Monsoon]] or Rain
|Idavam (second half)-Mithunam-Karkatakam (first half)
|[[Vṛṣabha]] (second half)-[[Mithuna (month)|Mithuna]]-[[Karkaṭa]]ka (first half)
|June & July
|[[Karkataka Vavu]] (marks the beginning of Sharad season)
|-
|4
|Sarath ശരത്ത് శరదృతువు ಶರದ್ಋತು
|Early [[Autumn]]
|Karkitakam (second half)-Chingam-Kanni (first half)
|[[Karkaṭa]]ka (second half)-[[Siṃha]]-[[Kanyā]] (first half)
|August & September
|[[Raksha Bandhan|Rakshabandhanam]], [[Krishna Janmashtami]] (Sri Krishna Jayanti), [[Onam]]
|-
|5
|Hemantham ഹേമന്തം హేమంతం ಹೇಮಂತ ಋತು
|Late Autumn
|Kanni (second half)-Thulam-Vrischikam (first half)
|[[Kanyā]] (second half)-[[Tulā]]-[[Vṛścika]]m (first half)
|October & November
|
|-
|6
|Sisiram ശിശിരം శిశిరం
ಶಿಶಿರ ಋತು
|[[Winter]]
|Vrischikam (second half)-Dhanu-Makaram (first half)
|[[Vṛścika]]m (second half)-[[Dhanu (month)|Dhanu]]-[[Makara (month)|Makara]] (first half)
|December & January
|
|-
|}

===Tamil calendar===
The [[Tamil Calendar]] follows a similar pattern of six seasons as described in the Hindu calendar.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Tamil season Names
!English Meaning
!Gregorian Months
!Tamil Months
|-
|Ilavenil (Mild Summer) [[:ta:இளவேனிற்காலம்|இளவேனிற்காலம்]]
|Tender heat / warmth
|April 15 to June 14
|Chittirai and Vaikāsi
|-
|Muthuvenil (Hot Summer) [[:ta:கோடைகாலம்|முதுவேனிற்காலம்]]
|Matured heat / warmth
|June 15 to August 14
|Āni and Ādi
|-
|Kar (Monsoon) கார்காலம்
|Dark Clouds
|August 15 to October 14
|Āvaṇi and Puraṭṭāsi
|-
|Kutir (Autumn) [[:ta:குளிர்காலம்|கூதிர் காலம்]]
|Cold / Chill
|October 15 to December 14
|Aippasi and Kārtikai
|-
|Munpani (Pre-winter) முன்பனிக் காலம்
|Early (Frontal) Dew / Mist
|December 15 to February 14
|Mārgaḻi and Tai
|-
|Pinpani (Prevernal / Early Spring) பின்பனிக் காலம்
|Late (Rear) Dew / Mist
|February 15 to April 14
|Māsi and Panguni
|}

==In culture==
The seasons are described in literature such as the [[Sanskrit]] poem ''[[Ṛtusaṃhāra]]'' written by the legendary Sanskrit poet [[Kālidāsa]].

Names of the ritu are commonly used for persons: typically, Vasant, Sharad, Hemant, Shishir and Varsh are "male" names; "female" names include Vasanti, Sharada, Hemanti, Grishma and Varsha.

Similar naming conventions are also used in Tamil: For female Ilavenil. For male Kar(Vannan).

== See also ==
*[[Astronomical basis of the Hindu calendar|Astronomical basis of the Hindu Calendar]]
*[[Vedic timekeeping]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

*Feller, Danielle. ''The Seasons in Mahākāvya Literature'', Eastern Book Linkers, Delhi, 1995, {{ISBN|8186339248}}
*Raghavan, V. ''Ṛtu in Sanskrit literature'', Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Delhi, 1972
*Renou, Louis. ''Sanskrit et culture'', Payot, 1950
*Selby, Martha Ann (translator). ''The Circle of Six Seasons'', Penguin, New Delhi, 2003, {{ISBN|0-14-100772-9}}

[[Category:Hindu calendar]]
[[Category:Seasons]]
[[Category:Long stubs with short prose]]

{{Template:Hindu calendar}}

{{hindu-stub}}

[[hi:ऋतु]]
[[ru:Риту]]

Ritu (season) - Revision history

Sarada22: Made A Entry