Uttarayan -- An Ayurvedic Perspective

So a New year has started and we are at the brink of our very first Festival “Makar Sankranti”. So Makar Sankranti marks the start of Uttarayan or the Adaan Kaal. Today we will talk about how our bodies correspond to the changes in nature and how we can continue to guard our wellbeing during the Adaan Kaal.  Adaan Kaal is the period roughly between mid-January to mid-July as per the English calendar.

Image courtesy: Google

Adaan means taking away, the Sun starts traveling in northward direction during this time. Throughout this period we mainly see the Sun and Wind rise in their strength and intensity. The Sun takes away strength of individuals and brings down the cooling potential of the Earth. The Sun gives hot & dry qualities to living being & plants. Increasing heat sources diseases due to low immunity.  Uttarayan consists of 3 seasons, namely Shishir, Vasant and Grishma.

 

So now we understand Adaan Kaal and the seasons associated with it.  Let’s take a closer look at the chart I have created above. It talks about the three seasons that make up the Adaan Kaal and also when they start and end along  with their duration. I have also indicated the prominent Dosha in that season. So basically we have to make sure to have a lifestyle that doesn’t aggravate that Dosha and  have a diet that pacifies it. This will help us maintain good health during this period. The first and most basic thing that we can do, would be to eat seasonal and local food all through the year. The seasonal produce will bring to you the foods most suitable for that time and Dosha. As it will be full of flavors and nutrients that support that season and help you prosper.

To make it simple let me quickly list dos and don’ts for the three seasons that fall in the Adaan Kaal.

Ritu	“Dos”	“Don’ts”
Shishir	Include Dairy and dietary fat in your diet and include Madhur (sweet), Amal (Sour) and lavan (salty) foods in your daily diet. Have lots of freshly harvested root vegetables. Abhyanga and Swedan is recommended. Daily exposure to early morning sun.	Avoid Katu (Bitter), Tikt (Pungent) and Kashaya (Astringent) rasa as they elevate Vatta Dosha.
Vasant	Drink warm fresh ginger tea with honey to ignite digestive fire. Undergo Vaman to help with elevate Kapha, helps with shodhan. Do Udvartan  it helps increase energy and keeps down laziness.	Avoid heavy, oily, Amal (sour) & Madhur (sweet) food & drinks as they elevate Kapha Dosha and bring down digestive strength. Avoid Day time sleep, it elevates Kapha and hampers digestive fire.
Grishma	Take afternoon naps. Have sweet fruits like watermelon, mango. Have Mint tea.	Avoid Tea, coffee as they are very dehydrating. Strenuous exercise must be avoided. Have sweet fruits like watermelon, mango.

I sincerely hope with all this information handy, we are going to have a healthy and happy Adaan Kaal. So I think the easiest think would be to eat seasonal and be healthy. Mother nature knows what’s best for us and accordingly brings us the most healthiest offerings. Will be soon back with more information and an Ayurvedic perspective along on more day to day things. We can learn a lot from this ancient treasure of wisdom and lead healthier lives. Until next time #enjoy!