Adhik Maas: The Extra Lunar Month in the Hindu Calendar

Introduction to Adhik Maas

Adhik Maas, also known as Mal Maas, Purushottam Maas, Malimmacha, and Londa Maas (लोंद मास), is an extra lunar month in the Hindu calendar. It is conceptually similar to the leap day in the Gregorian calendar, but instead of adding a single day, an entire month is added approximately every three years. This addition ensures that the lunar calendar remains synchronized with the solar cycle.

Why Does Adhik Maas Occur?

Hindu calendars follow a luni-solar system, where months are based on lunar cycles, but the year is adjusted to the solar year. A lunar month consists of approximately 29.53 days, making a lunar year about 354 days long, which is around 11 days shorter than the solar year. To align the lunar and solar years, an extra month, Adhik Maas, is added after every 32.5 months, which means roughly every three years.

How is Adhik Maas Determined?

The placement of Adhik Maas is not fixed, and it can occur between any two lunar months. The Hindu calendar determines a month’s identity based on Sankranti, the event when the Sun moves from one zodiac sign to another. A lunar month typically has a single Sankranti event. However, when a lunar month does not contain a Sankranti, it is designated as Adhik Maas.

This system ensures that the lunar calendar remains in harmony with the solar cycle, preventing seasonal drift that would otherwise occur over time.

Religious and Cultural Significance

Adhik Maas holds significant religious importance in Hindu traditions. Unlike other months, which are associated with specific deities and festivals, Adhik Maas is dedicated to Lord Purushottam, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is considered a highly spiritual month, encouraging people to engage in religious activities, fasting, charity, and penance.

Restrictions During Adhik Maas

Adhik Maas is generally not considered favorable for auspicious ceremonies and new beginnings. The following activities are avoided:

• Marriage ceremonies
• Housewarming (Griha Pravesh)
• Purchasing new items such as vehicles, gold, or property
• Initiating new business ventures

Despite these restrictions, Adhik Maas is an excellent time for spiritual upliftment, devotion, and self-discipline.

Rituals and Practices in Adhik Maas

Devotees engage in several religious practices during this sacred month:

• Japa (Chanting of Mantras): Reciting Vishnu Sahasranama (thousand names of Vishnu) and other prayers dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• Daan (Charity): Offering food, clothes, and donations to the needy.
• Fasting (Vrat): Observing fasts on selected days or throughout the month.
• Puja (Worship): Performing special rituals at temples and at home.
• Reading Scriptures: Studying texts such as Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and other Puranas.

Conclusion

Adhik Maas, though considered inauspicious for materialistic endeavors, is a spiritually potent time in the Hindu calendar. It provides a unique opportunity to engage in self-purification, devotion, and righteousness. By embracing the religious practices associated with Adhik Maas, devotees can attain divine blessings and inner peace.