47. Sharad — Autumn (mid-September to mid-November)

After the rains, the sun returns hot and bright — the 'October heat'. Pitta accumulated during the monsoon now flares: skin rashes, acidity, irritability, eye strain, bleeding gums and headaches are classical Sharad complaints. The season is also one of festivals: Navratri, Dussehra, Sharad Purnima, Diwali. Ayurveda prescribes sweet, bitter and astringent tastes; ghee; and cool, light food — the season of rice, milk, amla and pomegranate.

Aspect	State in Sharad	What it means for guests over 55
Weather	18–32 °C; clear, sunny days; cool nights	Midday sun is harsh; evenings pleasant
Agni	Recovering, moderate	Normal meals; avoid heavy fried festival food
Doshas	Pitta aggravated	Cooling, sweet, bitter; ghee
Common complaints	Acidity, rashes, eye strain, irritability, fever after rains	Ghee, milk, moonlight, cool environment

Daily routine adjustments

Practice	Sharad guidance
Waking	5:30 am
Abhyanga	Coconut or sunflower oil
Exercise	Moderate; avoid exercising in midday sun
Sun	Avoid midday sun; hats and umbrellas outdoors
Evening	Moonlight (Sharad Purnima kheer tradition); cool, airy rooms
Mind	Calm; festival schedules can be tiring — protect rest

Kitchen guide

Group	Favour	Reduce
Grains	Rice, wheat, barley, samak (for fasts)	Bajra, maize
Pulses	Moong, masoor	Horse gram, urad
Vegetables	Gourds, ash gourd, pumpkin, leafy greens (cooked), sweet potato, karela	Chilli, excess tomato
Fruit	Pomegranate, amla, sweet grapes, custard apple, guava	Sour fruit
Dairy and fats	Milk, ghee, kheer, fresh paneer	Sour curd
Sweeteners	Mishri, dates	Excess jaggery
Spices	Coriander, fennel, cardamom, turmeric, cumin	Mustard, chilli, fenugreek
Drinks	Coriander water, coconut water, rose and fennel coolers, amla drinks	Alcohol, coffee in excess

Signature dishes	Volume
Rajgira–milk porridge; whole moong dal; sattvic palak paneer; samak khichdi; Sharad Purnima rice kheer; Kerala parippu; olan	Volume I, September–October
Thayir sadam (lunch); coconut rice; ash-gourd soup; lauki kheer; rose–fennel cooler; samak pulao; makhana raita	Volume II