Adhik Maas is a unique Hindu concept that is also known as Mal Maas, Londa Maas, or Purushottam Maas. Adhik means extra and Maas means month therefore Adhik Maas translates to additional or extra month. It is an additional month added to the Hindu calendar every two or three years. The Hindu concept of time is both unique and interesting.

Calculation of Adhik Maas

The Hindu calendar is based on the cycles of the moon and hence, the number of days in a lunar year is 354 days. This leads to a difference of about 11 days every year between the solar and lunar calendars. The extra month is added to compensate for the difference that arises between the two calendars.

The Hindu calendar is traditionally based on a geocentric model of the Solar System, which describes the Solar System as observed from the surface of the Earth.

Within the Hindu calendar, there are nine different measures of time, known as manas. However, currently, only the following four measures are actively used and explained below:

1) Saura Mana: This measure is based on the time taken for the Sun to traverse one zodiac sign. It is commonly used in solar calendars.

2) Savana Mana: This measure is related to the time between two sunrises.

3) Chandra Mana: This measure is based on the lunar month, which is the time taken for the Moon to complete one revolution around the Earth.

4) Nakshatra Mana: This measure is tied to the lunar day or the time taken for the Moon to move approximately 13.2 degrees across the sky. It is crucial for determining auspicious times for various events.

Brahma Mana, Divya Mana, Pitraya Mana, Prajapatya Mana and Guror Mana are the other measures. It’s important to note that while all nine measures were historically relevant, the Hindu calendar has evolved over time, and currently, the four measures listed above are the primary ones in active use and are used in combination with the Hindu calendar.

In the Hindu calendar, both the Chandra Mana (lunar month) and Saura Mana (solar month) define a year called Varsha, comprising twelve Masa (months). However, the duration of these Varshas differs, with the Chandra Mana Varsha being shorter than the Saura Mana Varsha by approximately eleven Savana Dina (solar days). As a result, if not synchronized, the Chandra Mana Varsha will gradually “fall behind” the Saura Mana Varsha over time.

To maintain synchronization between these two parts of the calendar, an additional lunar month is introduced into some Chandra Mana Varshas. This extra month is referred to as Adhik Maas (extra month). The Adhik Maas takes its name from the following regular lunar month. Since this year the Adhik Maas precedes Shravan it is named Shravan Adhik Maas. An Adhik Maas never falls between Margashirsha and Magh.  

Usually, each lunar month (Chandra Masa) witnesses a Sankramaṇa or the transition of the Moon from one zodiac sign to another. However, if a lunar month does not witness a Sankramaṇa, it is designated as Adhik Maas, resulting in the Chandra Mana Varsha catching up with the Saura Mana Varsha. This synchronization occurs approximately once every two and a half solar years.

The Purushottam Maas story

Purushottam Maas, originally known as Malmas, held no significance and was disregarded for a long time. Being an ‘impure month’, it lacked importance and praise. However, without it, the accurate calculation of a year would be impossible, leading to chaotic time computation.

Frustrated by this neglect, Malmas sought refuge under Sri Hari Vishnu, sharing his misery and feeling neglected due to the absence of a governing deity. Touched by his plight, Sri Hari Vishnu granted Mal Maas a boon, making himself the deity of this month and infusing it with his divine qualities. Renaming it Purushottam Maas, Sri Hari Vishnu declared that it would attain fame through this new name. Henceforth, this special month became associated with Bhagwan Sri Hari Vishnu, and chanting His name and worshipping Him during this time is considered highly auspicious.

Importance of performing meritorious deeds during Adhik Maas

Adhik Maas is considered an auspicious period to perform religious rituals such as vrats and Daan-Dharma. The main reason behind this is that during the Adhik Mas (extra month) the Sun does not transit through any zodiac sign. As a result, there is no Surya Sankranti (Sun’s transition from one zodiac sign to another) during this period.

This leads to a variation in the speed of the Moon and Sun’s movements, which can influence environmental changes, including eclipses. In ancient times, people believed that these changes in the environment could have potential effects on health and well-being. Therefore, our rishis recommended the performance of meritorious deeds such as vrats and Danas.  

(Featured Image Source: PrabhuBhakti)