Appraisal of Maraṭhawada province of Maharashtra state in co-relation with the concept of Desa in Ayurveda

Introduction: Āyurvedā has described three types of Deśa viz. Jāngal , Ānup and Sādhāraṇa. Deśa also known as Bhūmī refers to the natural inhabitant of an individual. It has a major role in examination of disease as well as a diseased person. In Āyurvedic diagnostic method importance is given to Deśa Parikṣa while interrogating to patients because climate, food, constitution and diseases vary according to Deśa (habitat). Marāṭhawāḍā is an administrative part of Mahārāṣtrā state of India. It is having different climate than other regions of the state such as Konkan, Ghāt area, Khāndeśa, Vidarbha etc. Methods: This paper is an attempt to critically analyze the Marāṭhawāḍā region of the state considering present climate condition and geography in comparison to the concept of Āyurvedic Deśa description. Authentic government web portals of this region were visited to know the present climatic situations. Various research papers were also reviewed to discern the territory from other part of the state. Results: After scrutinizing the facts over past few years; it has been found that most of the region of Marāṭhawāḍā falls under deficit (below average) rainfall terrain. Flora and fauna is similar to that of dry land. Conclusion: Marāṭhawāḍā province of Mahārāṣtrā state can be compared with Jāngal Deśa rather than Sādhāraṇa Deśa.