Grishma Ritu,
the summer season in the Hindu calendar, marks the hottest period of the year.
It spans the months of Jayeshtha and Ashadha (mid‑April to mid‑June in
the Gregorian calendar). The word Grishma comes from Sanskrit Grishmarutu,
meaning “summer.”
This season follows Vasant
Ritu (spring) and precedes Varsha Ritu (rainy season). Known as the
season of exhaustion and dehydration, Grishma Ritu is also a time of devotion,
with several important Hindu festivals observed.
Grishma Ritu 2026 Date
Grishma Ritu begins on Sunday,
May 17, 2026, and continues until mid‑June.
Festivals During Grishma
Ritu
Ganga Dussera
- Celebrated on the Dashami (10th
day) of the bright fortnight in Jayeshtha month.
- Devotees take ritual baths in the
sacred Ganga River and perform puja to Goddess Ganga.
- Symbolizes purification and blessings
for prosperity.
Rath Yatra
- Held at the Jagannath Temple in
Puri.
- Idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord
Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are taken out in grand chariots.
- Attracts thousands of devotees,
symbolizing equality and integration.
Guru Purnima
- Observed on the full moon day of
Ashadha month.
- Devotees honor their Gurus for
guiding them on the path of enlightenment.
- Celebrated in memory of Maharshi
Ved Vyasa, making it auspicious for beginning spiritual lessons.
Significance of Grishma
Ritu
- Represents the peak of the sun’s
power, often associated with lethargy and exhaustion.
- Ends with the Summer Solstice,
when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky.
- The solstice marks the longest day
of the year, symbolizing energy, vitality, and cosmic balance.
Final Takeaway
Though Grishma Ritu is marked by intense heat, it is also a season of devotion and spiritual renewal. Festivals like Ganga Dussera, Rath Yatra, and Guru Purnima remind devotees of purification, equality, and respect for teachers. As the summer solstice concludes this season, it signifies the transition from heat to the life‑giving rains of Varsha Ritu.