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, or purchasing a house or vehicle.
Purushottam Maas is one of the best periods for chanting mantras, 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 the foundation of a house, or purchasing a new conveyance or property, are avoided during Adhika Maas.
Dates for Adhik Maas/ Purushottam Maas 2023
Shravan Adhik Maas begins on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, and Adhika Maas 2023(Shravan Maas).
This is the additional or thirteenth month of the Vedic lunar calendar. According to the 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 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
Shravan Maas begins on Tuesday, 18th July 2023, and occurs as an Adhik Shravan Maas or Purushottam Maas 2023.
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) occurs 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 an 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’s 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 Sankranti, which means there is no transitMovement of planets in the sky in real time of Sun into any of twelve signs, during this specific period of one month 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, or Namkaran Sanskar. During this particular period of Jyeshtha Maas, the total Jyeshtha Adhik Maas duration will be almost one month.
Daan and Religious Activities during Adhik Maas
Adhika Maas is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, a sacred and favorable 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, which is why it is known as Purushottam Maas.
Do’s during Adhika Maas
Keep fast (Vrat) by taking vegetarian meals only once at night, donate in the form of food (Anna Daan) clothes, and beddings (Vastra Daan), and 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. Arrange religious get-togethers (Satsanga) during any day of Adhik Maas or on the Adhik Maas Purnima. Doing this will help in minimizing our accumulated Pap-karma(sin).
Don’ts during inauspicious Adhika Maas
Do not harm or hurt others in Adhik Maas. Avoid eating non-vegetarian food and liquor during the sacred month of Adhik Maas or Purushottam Maas.
