Ritu

Ritu is a Sanskrit term meaning season. It is used in several Indian languages to denote one of the cyclical divisions of the year in Hindu calendars, astrology, and agrarian practice. In addition to its calendar sense, ritu is often encountered in literature and everyday speech related to the changing of seasons.

Traditionally, the year is divided into six ritus: Vasanta (spring), Grishma (summer), Varsha (monsoon), Sharad (autumn), Hemanta (early winter), and Shishira (late winter). Each ritu is associated with characteristic weather patterns, agricultural activities, and seasonal festivals, and the concept plays a role in arts and poetry as a motif for time and renewal.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from Sanskrit ऋतु (ṛtu). In modern usage across Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Nepali, and other languages, ritu remains the standard term for “season.” It can appear in classical texts as well as contemporary calendars and educational material about seasons and climate.

Ritu as a given name: Ritu is also a common feminine given name in India and among the Indian diaspora. It is often understood to evoke the idea of seasonal cycles or time in a culturally resonant way. Variants in transliteration include Rithu or Riti, though meanings align with the same seasonal roots.