Foods to eat and avoid during Sawan, according to Ayurveda

The holy month of Sawan (Shravan) is a time of devotion, fasting and simple living for millions of Hindus. But beyond its spiritual significance, it also coincides with the peak of the monsoon, a season that Ayurveda considers challenging for digestion. According to the Ayurvedic concept of Ritucharya (seasonal regimen), the digestive fire or agni weakens during Varsha Ritu (the rainy season), making the body more vulnerable to indigestion and food-borne illnesses. As a result, traditional Sawan diets focus on warm, freshly cooked, light meals while limiting foods that are heavy, difficult to digest or more prone to contamination during the rains. Many of these age-old practices also align with modern food safety concerns associated with humid weather.