Adhik Maas: All you need to know about the 13th month in the Hindu calendar

Purushottam Maas is an extra month in the Hindu calendar that is inserted to keep the lunar and solar calendars aligned. This year, Purushottam Maas is starting from September 18 and ends on October 16.

Varanasi: In Sanatan Dharma, there is a special significance of fasting and worship. It is considered to be auspicious in Sanatan Dharma to do any work as per the suitability of the time, specified as per the positioning of the sun and the moon. A date has been set every month for the fast. At the same time, there is a month in every year, which is not considered to be auspicious for observing fast. This month is called Adhik Maas, Malamaas, and Purushottam Maas, which comes after every three years. This year, Purushottam Maas is starting from September 18, which will end on October 16. ETV Bharat had a special conversation with Dr Vinay Kumar Pandey, Head, Department of Astrology, Kashi Hindu University, on many issues including the importance of Malamaas in Sanatan Dharma.

• Adhik Maas has been created to equalize the calculation of solar year and lunar year.
• Purushottam Maas, which comes every three years, starts on September 18 this year.
• Adhik Maas is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is specially worshipped during this month.
• Religious work done during Adhik Maas is considered to be 10 times more fruitful than done during a normal month.

PURUSHOTTAM MAAS COMES ONCE IN EVERY 3 YEARS

According to Dr Pandey, our calculation of months is based on the position of the moon, which, according to the Indian tradition of calculation, is known by the names of Chaitra, Vaishakh, Jyeshtha, Ashadh, Sawan, and so on. Therefore, the month became lunar and the year became solar. There are 365 days in a solar year and 354 days in a lunar year. Every year, there are 11 days less in the lunar year as compared to the solar year. When the cycle of 11 days starts, it leads to a situation that cannot be aligned seasonally. In order to reconcile the gap, the sages imagined a greater month, which is also known as Adhik Maas so that there is harmony between the solar year and lunar year. It can also be called a scientific definition.

WHY IS IT CALLED PURUSHOTTAM MAAS

Dr Pandey said that between two Amavasya or the lunar phase of the new moon, there is the transmigration of the sun, which is counted as the lunar month. When there is the transmigration of Aries between two new moons, this particular month is called Chaitra. The subsequent transmigration of the sun ahead of the new moon is called Vaishakh. However, when there is no solstice between the two new moon days, this period is called Adhik Maas. It maintains the balance between the moon and the sun so that the arrangement of our festivals and other religious celebrations are organised in accordance with the seasons. After 32 months, Adhik Maas normally falls in the 33rd month. If averaged out, Adhik Maas is created after 32 months, 16 days, and 15 hours.

THERE IS A LEGEND BEHIND PURUSHOTTAM MAAS

Dr Pandey says that if one talks in terms of mythology, the origin of the Purushottam Maas or Adhik Maas cannot be traced as there is no evidence to suggest the existence of this particular, as the Adhik Maas is said to have originated from the feces of solar and lunar. Therefore, Purushottam Maas is also called Malamaas. In some places, this month is also called Vridhi Maas.

According to Dr Pandey, there is a mythological story attached to Purushottam Maas. This month originated to establish harmony among seasons but was discarded as the Malamaas is linked to the feces of solar and lunar. No religious functions are held this month. There were mentions of what to do and what not to do during all other months except Adhik Maas.

As a result, people stopped celebrating any auspicious occasion or work during this month. This month was neglected by them. Finally, the Adhik Maas went to Brahma and asked him that when he was given the birth, then he should also get his due place. I have been created to establish reconciliation. Then Brahma sent him to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu listened to him and gave him his name Purushottam. Therefore, Malamaas is also known as Purushottam Maas.

HOW TO PERFORM PUJA DURING PURUSHOTTAM MAAS?

According to Dr Vinay, Purushottam Maas is the month of Lord Vishnu. He has given his name to Adhik Maas. Therefore, Lord Vishnu should be worshipped during Purushottam Month. In Kashi, Lord Vishnu is worshipped. Rudrabhishek, a special puja, is performed in almost every house in Kashi. One of the big reasons behind this is the fact that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva worship each other. Therefore, there is a tradition to worship Lord Shiva as the representative of Lord Vishnu in Kashi. People offer ‘Tulsi’ to Lord Shiva. Generally, Lord Vishnu is worshipped. Dr Pandey said that Adhik Maas comes after every 33 months. Hence, Lord Vishnu is worshipped with his 33 different names. All these 33 months have been given different names and hence Lord Vishnu is worshipped in his 33 different names during this period.

DO’S AND DON’TS FOR PURUSHOTTAM MAAS

According to Dr Pandey, there is confusion about what should be done and what not during Purushottam Maas. He said that there are specific advisories for months like Chaitra, Vaishakh, Jyeshtha, and Asaadh, but nothing has been said about the Adhik Maas.

Many important works including marriages and other religious rituals are prohibited during this month, but he says that routine works like shopping, registration of properties, purchase of vehicles, and homes can be done. There are no restrictions on these things. Annaprashana, which is a Hindu ritual marking an infant's first intake of food other than milk, can also be performed, for which no specific timing has been fixed.