According to the lunisolar Hindu calendar, there are six seasons or ritus in a year. Since the Vedic period, Hindus across India and South Asia have used this calendar to structure their lives around the seasons of the year.
RITU is inspired by these distinctive seasons of India and the culinary art that adapts to the seasonal local produce because it is believed that eating according to the seasons brings about a balance between the body and the mind.
Each season is two months long, and special celebrations and events occur during all of them. According to Hindu scriptures, the six seasons are:
Vasanta Ritu (Spring). This is when nature comes to life after the cold winter. It takes place between March and April. Fresh green leaves sprout, flowers fill the air with their magical aroma and birds start chirping.
Grisma Ritu (Summer) takes place between May and June. It is when the sun is at its peak. The days are long, the sky is clear and crops are ripening. The local produce gives way to beautiful fruits which keep people refreshed and hydrated in the intense heat.
Varsa Ritu (Monsoon) includes the months of July and August. Compared to the summer season, the days are short and the nights are long and it is when the most rainfall occurs in India. The landscape is carpeted with greenery, water levels rise and rainbows fill the sky.
Sharad Ritu (Autumn) falls between mid September to mid November. The trees drop their leaves in preparation for winter and the weather gets cooler. The sky becomes clearer and a bright moon fills the sky alongside pearlescent stars. It is the time when the most important Hindu festivals take place, such as Navaratri, Vijayadashami, and Sharad Purnima.
Hemanta Ritu (Pre-winter) falls between November and December. It is thought to be the most pleasant time of the year in India for weather. The trees in the mountains and hills begin to shed their ripe leaves to compensate for the loss of water. But soon the trees are loaded with new leaves and flowers; giving the message of leaving the old temptation to go for newness and innovation.
Shishira Ritu (Winter) takes place between January and February and is characterised by dryness, cold weather and occasional rainfall and snowfall. The Kharif crops ripen in this season so a large variety of fruits, flowers and green vegetables are available in abundance.
At RITU, we change and evolve with the seasons. So, step into RITU and trace the distinct and beautiful seasons of the Indian landscape through an immersive and elegant dining experience like no other.