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Adhika Maas / Purushottam Maas 2018

Adhik Maas or Adhika Maas is an extra lunar month,also known as Purushottam Maas or Mal Maas. It is the best time for religious activities and getting relief,if suffering from Pitra Dosha problems.Avoid auspicious events,ceremonies,starting a new venture, purchasing of a house or vehicle during inauspicious Adhik Maas.

Purushottam Maas is one of the best period for chanting Mantra, keeping fast and doing charity. All kinds of auspicious ceremonies, events (naming a newborn baby), engagement, marriage , starting new finance related investments, Griha-Pravesh (shifting to a new house), laying foundation of a house or purchasing a new conveyance or property, are avoided during Adhika Maas.

Dates for Adhik Maas/ Purushottam Maas 2018

Jyeshta Maas begins on Tuesday, May 1st, 2018. Adhika Maas 2018 occurs this year on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. The first fortnight i.e. Krishna Paksha of the two Jyeshtha Maas(months) is auspicious.

The period from the middle of the month i.e. first Jyeshtha Pratipada from 16th May,2018 to the 2nd Jyeshtha Amavasya till June 13, 2018 is inauspicious due Adhik Jyeshtha Maas(Mal Maas).

This is the additional or thirteenth month of the Vedic lunar calendar. According to Hindu(Vedic) Lunar Calendar, Adhika Maas occurs once, approximately after every 32 months, 16 days and 8 Ghatis.

When the accumulated difference of certain days and time exceeds from the real solar year, an adjustment is made with an extra or additional month (Adhik Maas). Adhik Maas or Adhika Maas does not occur in these two months, Kartik or Magh.

Significance of Adhik Maas or Purushottam Maas

Jyeshtha Maas begins on 1st May, 2018(north India), occurs as an Adhik Jyeshtha Maas or Purushottam Maas 2018, starts on May 16 and ends on June 13, 2018.

This Adhik Maas is considered very significant for Jap, Daan, Puja and meritorious acts to nullify the effects of Pitra Dosha. The two Jyeshtha months (one Adhik or extra month)occur due to the absence of Surya Sankranti between two Paksha.

The name of this extra month is Adhik Maas or Adhika Maas, as Adhika means extra, more, additional or great. Thus Adhika Maas means additional month.

Adhika Maas is a kind of Mal Maas, also known as Adhik Maas, Purushottam Maas, Mal Maas, Malimmachha and Adhika Masam. Purushottam Maas name is after God Vishnu’s name Purushottam and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Duration of inauspicious Adhik Maas or Purushottam Maas

Surya Sankranti or Surya Sankranta, which means there is no transitMovement of planets in the sky in real time of Sun into any of twelve signs, during this specific one month’s period between two Paksha, i.e. Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha. This period is considered an inauspicious Adhik Maas or month for starting a new event such as Mundan, Namkaran Sanskar.During this particular period of Jyeshtha Maas, total Jyeshtha Adhik Maas duration will be almost of one month, from May 16 to 13th June, 2018, as second Maas ends on 13th June, 2018.

Daan and Religious Activities during Adhik Maas

Adhika Maas is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, a sacred and favourable month for all religious activities such as: Mantra chanting, Japa, Puja (worship) of Lord Vishnu, charity and pilgrimage, the practice of these should be enhanced. “Purushottam” is an epithet of Vishnu, that is why it is known as Purushottam Maas.

Do’s during Adhika Maas

Keep fast (Vrat) by taking vegetarian meal only once at night, donate in the form of food (Anna daan) clothes and beddings(Vastra daan), help old or needy persons to minimize or nullify the bad effects of sins or Pitra Dosha. Vrat and charity during Adhika Maas can wash away most of the paap karma or sins. These activities give massive results.

Perform rituals like Yajna or Yagna, Havan, reciting holy texts or Katha, chant Mantra and arrange religious get together (Satsanga) during any day of Adhik Maas or on the Adhik Maas Purnima, this will help in minimizing our accumulated Pap-karma(sin).