Hemanta Hiccups

The Cozy Chaos of Winter

Ah, Hemanta—the Sanskrit name for winter, a season that feels like a

The Warm Embrace of Hemanta: A Winter’s Tale

Winter, or Hemanta as it is called in Sanskrit, has always held a special place in my heart. It is a season of mystery and solitude, a time when the world seems to pause and unveil its quiet secrets. The Sanskrit poet’s vivid description of this season captures its essence beautifully:

Gaja-pati-dvayasīr api haimantas tuhinayat saritaḥ pṛṣatāṃ patiḥ |
Salila-saṃtatim adhvaga-yoṣitām atanuta atanu-tāpa-kṛtaṃ dṛśām ||

The winter wind, likened to the lord of water drops, freezes even rivers deep as the mightiest of elephants are tall. It brings forth streams of hot, painful tears from the eyes of women separated from their husbands.

This poignant imagery of cold and longing encapsulates winter’s dual nature—its beauty and its starkness. Winter weaves a unique magic, transforming landscapes into mysteries waiting to be unveiled. It offers solitude like no other season, a stillness that invites introspection. While spring, summer, and autumn hum with activity, and monsoon’s incessant drone demands adjustment, Hemanta gifts us stretches of quiet to savor a profound sense of self-belonging.

A Season of Quiet Luxury

Winter in my part of the world is mild, making warmth a delightful luxury rather than a harsh necessity. We layer ourselves in thick cottons or thin woollens, often pairing them with silks for a touch of elegance in daily dressing. Keeping warm becomes a ritual of comfort.

The festivals of this season center around Til, or sesame, revered for its warming properties. Sesame seeds are roasted and blended with caramelized jaggery, enriched with ginger, cardamom, and cashew bits, then shaped into small, delicious balls. These traditional treats are not only flavorful but also deeply nourishing, designed to combat winter’s scarcity.

The Art of Keeping Warm

Ayurveda offers an evocative visualization of winter—inner fluids freezing under the cold’s influence. Thus, the food and practices of Hemanta focus on “thawing” and rejuvenating the body. The seasonal cuisine is spicier, tangier, and yet lighter, crafted to ignite the inner fire. Ginger, pepper, and warming spices dominate, creating dishes that comfort and energize.

In my personal winter repertoire:

• Infinite cups of ginger tea: A staple to warm both body and soul.
• Tomato soup (continental style): A vibrant bowl of tangy warmth.
• Rasam: This quintessentially South Indian dish, with its medley of spices, is a winter favorite.
• Light woollens and cozy corners: Comfort in simplicity.
• Snuggling up to my husband: The ultimate warmth, both literal and figurative.

The Hemanta Aesthetic

The season has its own aesthetic charm. The air is crisp, the skies are clearer, and the world often seems draped in a hushed beauty. Winter invites a sense of privacy, a feeling of being cocooned in one’s thoughts. While the other seasons encourage activity and social buzz, Hemanta fosters a quiet intimacy with oneself.

This solitude is not loneliness; rather, it is a space to connect with the deeper layers of being. The stillness of winter landscapes reflects the inner calm we often seek amidst life’s chaos.

Culinary Memories

The foods of Hemanta evoke memories of hearth and home. The til-jaggery balls are just one of many examples of the season’s ingenuity. Sesame, with its high nutritional value and warming essence, forms the core of winter festivals and traditions. Its nutty flavor, paired with the earthy sweetness of jaggery and the spice of ginger, creates a medley that warms both heart and hearth.

These dishes are not just sustenance but also symbolic of community and care. Preparing and sharing them is a ritual that strengthens bonds, a reminder that warmth comes not only from within but also from those we hold dear.

A Season for Reflection

Winter, for me, is more than just a season. It is a time for reflection, for savoring the mystery of life. The poet’s imagery of freezing rivers and flowing tears captures the emotional spectrum of winter—the stillness, the longing, and the beauty. It reminds us of the duality of life and the delicate balance between cold and warmth, solitude and connection.

As I sip on yet another cup of ginger tea, wrapped in my favorite woollen shawl, I find myself grateful for the gifts of Hemanta. It is a season that teaches us to slow down, to appreciate the quiet joys of life, and to find warmth in the simplest of moments.

Winter may be a season of cold, but it is also a season of heart—inviting us to embrace its magic, mystery, and warmth.