Adhik Maas

The Hindu calendar system is called as the lunar calendar following the cycles of the Moon. Solar month, which is 30 or 31 days, whereas the lunar month is 29.5 days. Therefore, a lunar year is of 354 days, whereas a solar year is of 365 days. If you closely observe, there is a difference of 11 days, between the lunar and solar years, and between 2 to 3 yrs, this difference increases to 29 or 30 days. In the Lunar calendar, an extra month is added compensating the extra days to make both lunar and solar calendars similar.

As per the Hindu calendar, 2018 year had an extra month or Adhika Masa. This extended month was dedicated to Lord Shri Krishna. In Hindu calendar, this position of this month is not fixed, occurring between any two months.

Legends associated with Adhik Maas

The Adhik Maas has other names like Mal Maas or Londa Maas, Malimmacha or Purushottama Maas. Mal Maas Vrat carries all the power to clean all the sins people carry. The lunar year carries 12 months, to match up with days of solar year calendar. During the Vedas period, Rishis and Munis calculated Adhik Maas.

According to Hindu calendar, each of the 12 months represents specific God, side-lining the Adhik Maas who was called the Mal Maas or Malimmucha. The Adhik Maas took his plight to Lord Vishnu seeking refuge. Lord Vishnu, while looking at this condition, assigned himself to Adhik Maas naming him as the Purushottama Maas.

Lord Vishnu said to him, by acquiring good deeds, and by performing Japa, and other acts within this one-month can bring result. This month carries significance compared to other months.

According to one legend, King Nahush, following Mal Maas Vrat was freed of all bondages, receiving the throne of Indra. The Adhikamaasa katha says, “Lakshmi Devi once asked Srihari (Lord Vishnu) the procedure to perform the Adhika Masa puja. Srihari told her that he is the Lord for the Adhika maas, and called as Purushottama. By conducting punya kaaryas or good deeds like snaana, japa, homaa will help to bring phala.

Srihari also told Lakshmi Devi, that those who does not perform these punya karya during this month would suffer from daaridrya, putrashoka, etc. However, if the individual could not perform these karyas for the month, can perform for at least during- Krishna paksha Astami, Navami, Chaturdashi, Dwadashi, Pournami, Chaturdashi, etc.

What to Do during the Adhik Maas?

During Adhik Maas, it is auspicious to carry out religious rituals including observing a fast, reciting religious scriptures, mantra japa, etc.

Individuals can also perform Vrats of different timings mentioned by the Brahmin. It can be either full day, weekly or full month. This also depends on the tolerance level of the individual. There can be different vratas like complete fasting with or without drinking water or any liquid form. Also, fasting with fruits one-time vegetarian food. Some individuals also observe this sacred month by holding a special katha from the holy book. By conducting these activities will help in washing away all the sins from present and past life.

Benefits of Adhik Maas Pujas

- By observing fast during the month of Adhik Mass, you can perform hundred yagnas and will attain happiness, peace and harmony.
- There are many reasons to follow this Vrat. Some of this are- appeasing the deities, acquiring desired health/ wealth, and to get blessings during difficult times.
- Those who perform good deeds (satkarmas) or master their senses (indriyas) and eliminate their miseries because they escape the cycle of rebirth (punar janam).
- It helps in clean one’s sins.
- Negative effects in horoscope is eliminated by performing graha dosha or any specific dosha nivaran puja by professional Brahmin.
- It is this month; sadhaks conduct paaths (readings) from vedic books like Shrimad Bhagawat puran, Bhavishyottar Purana, Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam, etc.
- Perfoming selfless acts during this month adds helps the person to earn spiritual merit.
- Since, Adhik maas falls in the month of Lord Purushottama, it is best to chant shlokas, Vishnu sahasranama and the Suktas belonging to him.
- To get the blessing from the lord, it is best to wake up between 4 am and 6 am (Brahma Muhurta), and perform activities like ablution Sodashopachara puja to Radha-Krishna or Lakshmi-Narayana idols.
- Visiting pilgrimage places during this period is considered as the right time and performing puja can further help in getting blessings.
- Any religious activities performing during this period helps in washing away sins of people from present and past life.