Āshādha Māsa –
June 30 – July 29

Ashadha, the second month of Grishma rtu, begins with an almost unbearable intensity; the scorching heat of summer is at its peak. The ferocity of the unrelenting heat is everywhere. The air feels parched. In nature summer is the season when even traditional enmity between hunter and prey is sometimes put aside in the quest for survival, which comes down to shade and water.

Conversely, in the relentless intensity of summer, even the smallest moment of relief is magnified by contrast. Perhaps that is why it is in Grishma rtu that we find our joys in the most fleeting of moments and appreciate transient pleasure more. The indescribable sweetness of a ripe Mango, the simplicity of wearing breezy muslin, the tartness of Aam Panna, the serenity of the colour white, the taste of cold Watermelon, the soothing arrival of the night, the fragrance of a Mogra in bloom, the joy of long shaded afternoons when the air is still, the cool taste of Vetiver infused water… the things that make an Indian summer not just bearable but delightful are tiny and fleeting experiences. And of course, the underlying sentiment of summer by the time the second month of the season starts is the sense of waiting; by now we are all longing for the season of rains to arrive, to rejuvenate the land and our depleted energy.

The intensity of the Sun and the season reaches its peak with the Summer Solstice . On June 21 all of us in the Northern Hemisphere will experience the longest day of the year. On this day the Northern pole of the Earth reaches its maximum tilt towards the Sun, making it the longest day and the shortest night of the year. In the Southern hemisphere, however, the opposite is experienced.

Since ancient civilisation Summer Solstice has been celebrated and acknowledged by many names such as Midsummer, Gathering Day, Sonnwend, among others. From the Summer Solstice we begin to see a slow transition toward the second half of the year. The days begin to shorten in minute increments. The ferocity of the Sun lessens and slowly we start transitioning to the second half of the year when the energy of the Moon becomes dominant.

However, until then we still need to deal with the impact of summer’s heat on our body and mind. As per Ayurveda, Grishma rtu is the season of Pitta dominance and the fiery intensity of the environment can cause Pitta dosha in our body to go out of balance more readily.

Summer Self Care

The intensity of Grishma rtu manifests in our bodies as the increase or aggravation of Pitta dosha. We can feel it many ways. We sweat more as our bodies work to remain cool on the inside. Our skin feels thirsty in a way that is different from the skin-dryness we experience in winters. We feel the loss of energy more because heat is drying at a cellular level and saps our vitality.

Eyes & Heat

But where we can really see the impact of the season of heat is on our eyes. The intense heat of the summer season coupled with our screen time takes it largest toll on our eyes, which are traditionally seen as a seat of Pitta dosha. If you experience dry, irritated or even achy eyes below are some simple practices that offer relief.

• Eye Palming: From the moment we awaken to the moment we fall asleep, our eyes work constantly. We absorb and assimilate the most through our eyes. This constant inflow of sensory information can strain not just the eyes but also our nervous system. A beautiful way of reducing the stress then is Eye Palming. Take a deep breath, close your eyes and briskly rub your palms together for 15 seconds and immediately cup your closed eyes with your hands. Relax in this position with your eyes closed for at least a minute. Then slowly open your eyes, with your palms still cupping them. Let the eyes adjust before removing hands. There should be no pressure on the eyelids when cupping.
• Cooling Eye Pack: The simplest remedy for refreshing tired eyes is a cold compress. Soak a clean muslin cloth in ice cold water and place over your eyes for a cooling break. Or you can soak cotton pads in chilled organic Rose Water and place the pads over your eyelids for a few relaxing minutes. Along with the eyes, this practice also provides relief to our mind and nervous system.

Summer Skincare

Our skin needs hydration in the heat of the summer season.

• Misting Water: A very simple way to rehydrate our skin in summer is to generously mist our face with Rosewater in the summer. To make the experience even more cooling, keep a spray bottle of Rosewater in the refrigerator. Spritz your face with it multiple times a day, and you can feel the difference in your skin and even your mood. Rosewater has an astringent, that is, skin-tightening effect on your skin. And its fragrance is calming for the nervous system.
• Traditional Clays: The subcontinent’s native beauty traditions have always privileged the earth and its abundance. Using a traditional ubtan or clay powder works wonders in helping your skin in summers. Add a few drops of your favourite body oil to the paste you use to scrub your skin and you will find you skin more hydrated and nourished.

1. Fragrant Delight: The fragrance of a Mogra in bloom is perhaps one of the most delightful experiences of summers. The buds unfurl into luminous flowers at dusk, as the Sun’s intensity begins to give way to the relief of the night. The simultaneously sensual and crisp scent of Mogra is intoxicating. It is also deeply cooling and calming for our nervous system. Perhaps that is where the wearing of fresh Jasmine flowers in the hair on summer evenings became a tradition in the subcontinent. Another cooling scent for summer is the divine scent of Sandalwood. A beautiful and simple ritual for experiencing the delight of Sandalwood is wearing a Sandalwood tilak. You can use readily available Sandalwood powder or buy a Sandalwood stick to create you own sandalwood paste using a little water and rough stone base. But what is summer without Vetiver? For generations past, Vetiver was the scent of summer because the pads in our water coolers were made of Vetiver grass. The air that passed through these watered Vetiver pads carried the cooling, earthy scent of Vetiver. But Vetiver can also be used to make Vetiver-water. Vetiver or Khus carries with it the taste and scent of the loamy depths of cool earth and in Ayurveda it is considered cooling for the body. Store water ideally in an earthen ware utensil and infuse Vetiver roots for a few hours before straining and drinking the water.

The Waning Summer

Ashadha masa begins with intense heat but this month ends on a very different note. The last few days of Ashadha are the time of Rtusandhi – the time of transition that forms a bridge between two differing seasons and the accompanying change in energy. Slowly the delights of summer begin to fade. The scorching intensity of the Sun seems to lessen its intensity subtly. And somehow, we all start looking towards the sky for the first glimpse of Varsha rtu’s rain-laden clouds. It is a slow and subtle change. But it is there if you like to observe the small natural shifts around you.

But before that, there is still the fading beauty of summer to be savoured. So eat the Mangoes and the Litchis, take delight in the feel of wearing of breezy muslin, enjoy the cooling delight of silver jewellery, take the time to hear the Koel’s call. Spend that still summer afternoon with the shades pulled down.

Take pleasure in the last, lingering days of Grishma rtu before it bids you farewell.