Vasanta (spring) in
the lunar months of Chaitra and Baisakh; Grishma (hot season) in Jyeshth and
Ashadh; Varsha (rains) in Shravan and Bhadrapada; Sharad (fall) in Ashvin and
Kartik; Hemanta (winter) in Margashirsha and Paush; and Shishira (late winter)
in Magh and Phalgun, according to the most traditional enu meration.
In actuality, at least in northern India, there are three
primary seasons: the hot season (April–June), the monsoon (July–September), and
the cold season (October–March).
Because they are ultimately controlled by bigger climatic
occurrences, all of these seasons are approximate.
The sun bakes the northern Indian plains throughout the hot
season, finally putting in action air currents that pull moist air north from
the Indian ocean; the subsequent monsoons bring relief from the heat and rain
for the crops.
The temperature then gradually grows colder until January,
when it progressively becomes hotter until the hot season resumes.
The monsoon comes at various times in different areas of the
country—earlier in the south, later in the north—and monsoons may be erratic or
even non-existent at times.
Each of these three sea sons has strong ties to certain
festivals.
The hot season is characterized by steadily rising
temperatures, and many of the festivals celebrated at this period include Holi,
Navaratri, Ram Navami, Shitalashtami, and Ganga Dashahara.
Despite the fact that the growing heat may make living
tough, it is typically seen as a good time.
Physical and ritual dangers abound during the rainy season.
Venomous creatures such as snakes and scorpions are forced
out of their burrows by the rapid flood of rain, and their quest for new homes
sometimes puts them into touch with humans.
On a bacteriological level, rainwater runoff often results
in sewage pollution of water sources, as well as an increase in illness and
mortality due to gastrointestinal and other illnesses.
The gods are said to be sleeping throughout part of the rainy
season, making them less accessible to defend their devotees (bhakta).
Simultaneously, the arrival of the rains is eagerly awaited,
since moisture is required for agricultural growth.
As a result, although this is a period of immense fertility
and plenty, it is also a time of peril, and several of the festivals, such as
Nag Panchami, Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi, Anant Chaturdashi, and the
Pitrpaksha, are rituals of protection.
Other celebrations, such as the Shravan festival and
Janmashtami, are associated with water or rain.
The gods arise from their slumber during the chilly season,
and rain-fed crops are ready for harvest.
This is the most ritually busy season of the year, and it is
considered lucky.
The autumn Navaratri, which culminates in the Dussehra
(Vijaya Dashami) celebration, is followed by Diwali, Karva Chauth, Kartik
Purnima, Makara Sankranti, and Shivaratri.
Holi, the year's last big celebration, ushers in the
unofficial start of the hot season.
The lunar year therefore mirrors the cycle of the universe,
which is subject to degeneration and periodic regeneration, by concluding with
Holi, a celebration celebrating license, excess, and the dissolution of all
social boundaries, followed by a sudden reestablishment of propriety and social
order.
