Vaishākha Māsa:
April 3 – May 1

Basant rtu is the season of movement and nature’s beauty. As the second month of Spring – when Vaishākha māsa begins, both the beauty and the sense of movement are at their peak.

The beauty of the season is visible and tangible – everywhere you look there are flowers blooming, bees buzzing, gentle breezes and a sense of freshness, of renewal and rebirth, permeates the very air.

Spring in North India is a riot of colour, starting with the flame-coloured Palash blooms and the velvety red Semal flowers that carpet the earth that usher in the season of flowers. As Vaishākha arrives the Himalayan forests are red and pink with Rhododendron blooms, the Peepul tree is adorned with the tender new reddish-green leaves, the soft Jacaranda tree is heavy with its lilac blooms and the blooms of the Champaka trees offer their soft fragrance.

And flowers abound everywhere – in homes, in parks, in forests, in any open land. From the dramatic brightness of Bougainvillea bunches to the cheerfulness of orange and yellow Nasturtiums, from the shy sweetness of Daisies to the boldness of Marigolds, any walk, in any neighbourhood is filled with blooming pots and gardens.

The point is, that this is the season when Nature comes alive. As if to make up for its four-months long Winter hibernation. But also, because traditionally, in the subcontinent, Basant rtu is the season of fresh beginnings. When the annual cycle of six seasons begins afresh.

Traditionally, the start of the month of Vaishākha māsa was considered to be the time when Basant and its fragrant beauty reach its peak. In Kathāsaritsāgara, an ancient Sanskrit text, the name Vaishākha is given to a fictional city which is full of splendour and beautiful women. The author is clearly inspired by the season and its fragrant and colourful offerings. Blooming Champaka flowers radiate golden warmth while the delicate Atimukta creepers wind themselves around tree barks in full blossom. In Aśvaghoṣa’s Saundarananda, it is in this season of beauty that a young Nanda sets out to follow the path laid by Buddha, leaving behind his wife. However, on the way he is tormented by his wife’s memory every time he looks at the beauty of Basant. Once, looking at the Atimukta creeper wrapped around a Mango tree, he gets lost in thought and wonders, “When will Sundarī embrace me like that?” Thus, the beauty of Basant both pleases and torments the lovers.

Love is important because Basant rtu is the season of Kama, the god of love and desire. Love in Spring is the tender unfurling of something fresh, a delicate feeling that permeates the air, when all seems possible, when the world and life feel full of potential. And in Vaishākha māsa, this sense of fizzy delight reaches it peak.

Spring is a season of movement and filled with the soft sounds of nature– nothing is still in either Chaitra or Vaishākha; a gentle breeze murmurs, there is the soft susurration of leaves, the buzzing of bees, birds chirping – noting is still or quiet. Our bodies too respond to this sense of movement, of activity.

Basant rtu and its months are the time of renewal. Just like nature, this is also a fresh annual start for both our bodies and minds.

Rituals of Movement

In Basant rtu, we transition from the Kapha dominant Winter season to the dominance of Vata, a dosha that is defined by constant movement. In our bodies this translates as the time to eat light foods and to take to activities that energise the body and shed off the lingering stagnation of Winter. The shift to warmth allows for a natural liquefaction in nature – just as Spring streams spring out of ice, the kapha accumulated in our bodies too needs to be moved. And it this transition that becomes easier if we take up exercise at this time. Whether it is a daily walk or a session at the gym, Yoga practice or Pilates practice, exercise we must at this time of the year.

• Barefoot walks: One of the most delightful opportunities that Spring offers us are the mornings – crisp and clear, they are filled with a sense of possibility. The temperature feels just right, the sky is clear, the beauty of blooming flowers and trees is all around us and the birds seem to chirp in encouragement. So an early morning walk in this month offers us both delight and health benefits.

Walking barefoot on the grass while it still wet with morning dew is a simple Spring ritual we can all benefit from. While the walk offers the benefits of exercise, walking barefoot on the grass is also a way of drawing into yourself the grounding and centring energy of the earth element. Moreover, as per Ayurveda, barefoot walks in the early morning are very beneficial for eyes.

• Dry Powder Massage: As per Ayurveda, “Dry powder massages are heating, stimulating, and dehydrating, making them beneficial for weak agni and excess Kapha.” A simple and traditional way to encourage the body to shed the lethargy of Winter and to stimulate the movement of accumulated Kapha in the body is a regular, weekly dry powder massage with just Triphala. It kindles both, our digestive Agni and the Agni in our skin. Ensure you are in a warm room rather than a cool one for this massage. Take a handful of the powder and massage in brisk circular motions. Start with the feet and move upwards. Follow the massage with a steam bath if possible or else rinse the body with warm water. Avoid washing your head and an air-conditioned environment or a very cool environment immediately after your massage and bath. Triphala powder is tridoshic and is suitable for all three doshas – Kapha, Vata and Pitta. This dry powder massage using Triphala can have an energising effect on the body. But please practice moderation. Once a week is good and please discontinue as the days get hotter. Not recommended during Summer.

Caution: Please do not undertake a dry powder massage if you are pregnant or menstruating.

Rituals of Food

At this time of the year Ayurveda recommends the following:

• Eat foods that are pungent, bitter and astringent in taste. Avoid eating heavy, oily, sour and sweet foods such as excessive dairy, meat, and fried foods.
• Drinking hot water can really help the body with the elimination of waste. While cold and iced beverages should be avoided.
• Spices: Turmeric, Dried Ginger powder, Black Pepper, Clove and Cardamom (Elaichi) are some of the highly recommended spices in this month. All of these encourage digestive fire. While Turmeric is astringent and has a drying effect that helps the body absorb and dispel excess liquid, the rest are all gently warming without aggravating Pitta dosha.
• Kairi: It is good to consume the Raw Mango or Kairi, which begins to become available towards the end of Vaishakha month. It offers an excellent boost of vitamin C and vitamin B. These help with heart health, prevent dehydration by helping with sodium and other mineral imbalances in the body, stimulate the digestive system and help with constipation and liver health. One traditional and delicious way of including raw mangoes in the diet is a chutney. Here is my favourite Kairi Chutney recipe:1 raw Mango: peel and roughly chop the flesh + Coriander: Wash and roughly chop a handful of fresh Coriander leaves along with stems + Mint: Wash and roughly chop some Mint leaves + Juice of 1 Lemon + Green chillies, Rock Salt & Roasted Cumin seed powder as per taste and a generous pinch of Hing (Asafoetida).

Blend everything together, adding a little water if required. Refrigerate and enjoy.   

Festivals of Vaishākha

Mesha Sankranti & Baisakhi: On April 14 the Sun moves into the zodiac constellation of Aries, thus this Sankranti is celebrated as the start of the annual solar year. Baisakhi in north India is one of the regional festivals that celebrates this transition and the start of a new solar year with revelry and music and kite flying.

Akshaya Tritiya:  Also known as Akha Teej, it comes this year on April 19. It is thought to be a very auspicious day, which brings good luck and success. It is highly regarded as being a good day for starting any project or work. The word Akshaya means ‘that which never diminishes’. Thus, it is also considered an auspicious day for spiritual practices that will grow but not diminish. With the same sentiment it is also considered good to buy Gold on this day.

Buddha Purnimā: The full Moon which brings to close both the month of Vaishākha and the Basant rtu comes this year on May 1. This day is celebrated as both – the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha and as the day on which he attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya.

May the month of Vaishākha remind you to spend time outside, enjoying the delights of nature in bloom and the Moon of Buddha Purnimā bring beauty and wisdom into your life.