Changes

==== Division of ''samvatsara'' (year) and ''ritus'' ====

==== Division of ''samvatsara'' (year) and ''ritus'' ====

<div style="text-align:justify;">

<div style="text-align:justify;">

The Year or ''Samvatsara'' is divided into two ''ayana'' or solstices, depending upon the position of the Sun with respect to the Earth i.e. ''Uttarayana'' or ''adana kala'' and ''dakshinayana'' or ''visarga kala''. Each ''ayana'' includes three ''ritus''. This is known as ''ritu'' cycle of six seasons. Six ''ritus'' are divided on the basis of the predominant effect of Sun and Moon. Air motivates the Sun and the Moon. ''Vata'' is responsible for differentiation of ''ritus''.1 The ''uttarayana'' or northward position of the Sun and its act of dehydration/undernourishment brings about three seasons, including ''shishira, vasanta'' and ''grishma''. The ''dakshinayana'' or southward position of the Sun and its act of hydration/nourishment gives rise to other three seasons, including ''varsha, sharada'' and ''hemanta''.

The Year or ''Samvatsara'' is divided into two ''ayana'' or solstices, depending upon the position of the Sun with respect to the Earth i.e. ''Uttarayana'' or ''adana kala'' and ''dakshinayana'' or ''visarga kala''. Each ''ayana'' includes three ''ritus''. This is known as ''ritu'' cycle of six seasons. Six ''ritus'' are divided on the basis of the predominant effect of Sun and Moon. Air motivates the Sun and the Moon. ''Vata'' is responsible for differentiation of ''ritus''.<ref>Ch.Su. 12</ref> The ''uttarayana'' or northward position of the Sun and its act of dehydration/undernourishment brings about three seasons, including ''shishira, vasanta'' and ''grishma''. The ''dakshinayana'' or southward position of the Sun and its act of hydration/nourishment gives rise to other three seasons, including ''varsha, sharada'' and ''hemanta''.

By taking the river Ganga as a base line, the whole region (India) is divided on the basis of intensity of cold and rain into two parts '''ref'''. In regions south of Ganga, rain being more, two ''ritu'' i.e. ''pravrita'' and ''varsha'' (early rainy and heavy rainy seasons) have been mentioned separately by the sages. In the regions north of Ganga, with a prevalence of snowfall factored in, two ''ritu'' namely ''hemanta'' and ''shishira'' (dewy season and cold season) have been mentioned separately. In the Gangetic plains (Eastern U.P. and Bihar), all the seasons can be found since it is the belt of ''sadharana desha''.

By taking the river Ganga as a base line, the whole region (India) is divided on the basis of intensity of cold and rain into two parts '''ref'''. In regions south of Ganga, rain being more, two ''ritu'' i.e. ''pravrita'' and ''varsha'' (early rainy and heavy rainy seasons) have been mentioned separately by the sages. In the regions north of Ganga, with a prevalence of snowfall factored in, two ''ritu'' namely ''hemanta'' and ''shishira'' (dewy season and cold season) have been mentioned separately. In the Gangetic plains (Eastern U.P. and Bihar), all the seasons can be found since it is the belt of ''sadharana desha''.