According to Ayurveda, Prakriti and Purusha are the root cause of evolution of universe. Every particle of the universe is made up of triguna (Satva, Raja and Tama) which is originated from Prakriti. In Navaratri power of nine goddesses are worshipped. Among these some are of mild quality which denotes Satva quality and some are of aggressive quality which denotes Raja quality. And we can consider this festival is a symbol of worship of the qualities of triguna.

After navratri comes the festival of lights, Deepawali or popularly known as Diwali has got great mythological, religious and cultural importance. Deepawali is the festival of lights. We forget our sorrows and a bit in the light. Light is the symbol of act of fulfillment and mysteries.

During this period we get the yields from the farms. Rains are over and atmosphere becomes pleasantly cool. For the farmer crops is their wealth so they get reason to celebrate their happiness in the form of festivals like Diwali, Vasubaras, Dhanatrayodashi, Naraka Chaturdashi, Bali Pratipada and Bhaubeej and these are six events which are celebrated during Diwali. During these six events people wake up early in the morning and bath with oil massage and application of scented powder all over the body.

Abhyangam & Udvartanam:

In Ayurveda benefit of bath, oil massage and application of ayurvedic herbal powder for scrub is very well explained. But especially people perform this act during this season or festival because of coldness or winter season.

Due to coldness, vata aggravation can be subsided by oil massaging and luke warm water. Scented powder is the combination of different medicinal drugs which are helpful to destroy bad odour of sweat and it also improves the skin complexion.

Dhanatrayodashi is celebrated to worsh lord Dhanvantari who emerged carrying a jar of the elixir from it (Amrut).

On this day Coriander seeds are worshipped by people. During this season coriander grows more. And to prevent the aggravation of Pitta people drink water of Coriander with Khadi sakhar (sugar cubes) which mitigate Pitta.

Sharada Rutu (Autumn Season) & Sharad Ritucharya:

Sharad Ritu begins with the end of monsoon or the Fall marked by benevolence, grace and beauty which is a season of festivals. It comprises of the lunar months of Ashwin and Karthik, as per Gregorian calendar it is mid-September to mid-November in. Here the sun has started to move southwards because of the tilting of the Earth so this period of the year is also known as Visarg Kaal / Autumn Equinox.

Changes in Human Body:

रोगाणाम् शरदी माता ।।

Climate of this season favors breeding of various diseases either due to vitiation of body constituents (Doshas) or due to external microbes.
Weakened Digestive System has yet not gained strength. (Agni)
Body that had got used to cold of rainy season, suddenly exposed to mild sun-rays.
This causes a natural aggravation of Pitta Dosha and decrease of Vata Dosha.

Shodhana Karma (Elimination Therapy) – Panchkarma:

The extremes of temperatures and humidity can really stress the body mechanism. This is an ideal time to go ahead with our personal “House Cleansing” of body with the help of panchkarma. Advised panchakarma at this time of the year are:

1 Raktamokshan or Blood-letting:

Toxins present in the gastro-intestinal tract are absorbed into the blood and circulated throughout the body. This condition is the basic cause of repeated infections, hypertension and certain other circulatory conditions. This includes repeated attacks of skin disorders such as urticaria, rashes, herpes, eczema, acne, scabies, leukoderma, chronic itching or hives. In such conditions, along with internal medication, elimination of the toxins and purification of the blood is necessary. This procedure of blood-letting is called Raktamokshan, also indicated for cases of enlarged liver, spleen and gout.

2 Virechan or Cleansing of intestines using purgatives:

Removal of toxins through anal route with the help of medicated purgation is called as virechana followed by Samsarjan karma ( Specific diet plam for 7 days). A properly carried out purging leads to clarity of intellect, power to the organs, elemental stability, glow to the digestive power and delays ageing. Before going for the process, proper oleation and sweating have to be done. When all this is completed, the medicine prepared as per the ailments may be taken.

In Varsha Ritu, the body is accustomed to the cold atmosphere and hence pitta is accumulated but fails to aggravate Kapha due to frigid atmosphere when the sunrays become hot in the ensuring Sharad rutu, the body becomes suddenly hot and by this, the accumulated pitta aggravates.

In this season digestive fire increases. Water heated by besieged rays of sun during day time and cooled by moon rays at night detoxified by the star Agastya (the star anapus) rising in this season and is pure and clear, capable of pacifying tridoshas which is neither abhishyandi (secretory) nor ruksha (causing dehydration). It is as good as divine elixir and known as Hamsodaka . (Hamsodaka word derived from two words: Hamsa: Swan, Udaka: Water. Sun and Moon are considered as Hamsa (Swan).) Purified water by the rays of sun and moon or the water which can be capable to drink by swan is Hamsodaka. Swan always drinks clean water. Water which can be drink which is purified by rays of sun and moon.

Do’s:

DIET- Sweet, light, cold and pungent taste diet, rice (Oryza sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Drink clean water or alum mixed with water. Vegetables like Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina), Fenugreek leaf (Trigonella foenum-graecum), bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), Radish (Raphanus sativus), Water chestnut (Trapa natans L.), Carrot (Daucus carota), Cabbage (Brassica oleracea or variants) and grapes (Vitis vinifera), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), drink fruit juices like lemon (Citrus × limon) juice and eat dry fruits especially dried grapes and coconut. Eat vegetables without spices. Drink water before sunrise.

Don’ts:

Diet Food prepared with maida (flour of Litsea glutinosa) should not be consumed. Hot, pungent, spicy and oily food, Fatty and salty and sour diet should be avoided. Fish should be avoided. Guava (Psidium guajava) in excess and stem vegetables should be avoided. Vanaspati Ghee and unripe Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) should be avoided. LIFESTYLE Sleeping in day time should be avoided. Do not cover mouth while sleeping and not to sleep under sky in open space.

LIFESTYLE Perform regular oil massage, regular exercise. Those who are unable to do exercise, they can do morning walk. Do take sleep in room. Wear clean and light clothes. Bath in swimming pool and pond.

Medicine:

Chyavanaprasha, Amalaki Rasayana, Brahma rasayana etc. can be consumed after the consultation of Doctor. Administration of Tikta Ghrutpana (Bitter Ghee) is good in this season. Eat Triphala churna, Nishottha Churna and Amaltas. Eat green gram and black gram pulses.