Northern solstice. Sun absorbs strength. Śiśira → Vasanta → Grīṣma
Southern solstice. Moon nourishes. Varṣā → Śarad → Hemanta
शरद् · Autumn
Śarad Ṛtu
Mid-September — Mid-November · Fire + Water dominant
Clear skies return — accumulated Pitta from monsoon now aggravates
"In Śarad, the body accustomed to clouds and cold rain is suddenly exposed to the heat of the sun. Pitta, which had accumulated during Varṣā, is now provoked. Sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes with cooling properties should be consumed. This is called "Haṃsodaka" period — water purified by sun and star Agastya."
— Charaka Samhita, Sūtrasthāna 6.40-44
🍂 Pathya Thali — Śarad Ṛtu
Seasonal foods recommended by Charaka Samhita
👅 Favored Rasas (Tastes)
✅ Pathya (Favorable Foods)
- Ghee medicated with bitter herbs (Tikta Ghṛta)
- Rice, mudga (green gram), sugar, āmalaka (amla)
- Patola (pointed gourd), honey in moderation
- Haṃsodaka — water kept in sun by day & moon by night
- Fresh seasonal fruits — pomegranate, apple
- Lightweight meats if non-vegetarian
- Cooling, Pitta-pacifying foods
❌ Apathya (Foods to Avoid)
- Fat, oil, and unctuous foods in excess
- Curd, sesame oil
- Alkaline (Kṣāra) foods
- Exposure to direct sun and east winds
- Heavy and sour foods
🍲 Seasonal Recipes
🌿 Spices & Herbs (Auṣadha Dravya)
🌿 Auṣadha Dravya — Śarad Ṛtu
🍵 Recommended Beverages (Pānīya)
🍵 Pānīya — Śarad Ṛtu
Questions about Autumn seasonal practices?
Ask Ardya for personalized seasonal guidance tailored to your Prakṛti and current Vikṛti.
"स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्य रक्षणं, आतुरस्य विकार प्रशमनं"
The purpose of Āyurveda: to protect the health of the healthy, and to alleviate disorders in the diseased.
— Charaka Samhita, Sūtrasthāna 30.26