Purushottam Maas or Adhik Maas is an extra month in the Hindu calendar that is added to keep the lunar and solar calendars aligned.
To know more about the month, it’s advantages and what all should be done in this duration, we got in touch with Dr. Aarti Dahiya.
“Purushottam is an epithet of Vishnu, to whom the month is dedicated,” shared Dr. Aarti, Astrologer and Vaastu consultant.
“During 2018, Adhik Jyaistha maas was observed from 16 May to 13 June.In 2020, Adhik Ashwin maas will be from 18 September to 16 October 2020,” she informed.
During this period people carry out various religious rituals such as reciting religious scriptures, mantra daap, prayers, performing several types of puja’s as well as havans.
Suggesting more about the spiritual aspects, Dr. Dahiya said, “Individuals can utilise this sacred month by reading any holy book on regular basis. These deeds wash away all the sins accumulated during life time.”
Calculation of Adhik Maas:
1 Lunar year = 29.5305 X 12 = 354.366 days
1 Solar year = 365.2587 days
Thus, one lunar year lags behind the solar year and one lunation has to be added after three years to fit the lunar year into the solar one.
Astronomers have called this intercalary lunation as Adhika month, and have asserted that this month is to be added to the lunar year.
Here are a few things which should be avoided during ‘Adhik Maas’:
– Marriage ceremonies to be avoided
– Greh parvesh has to be avoided
– Maha pujan for special event of life has to be avoided
– Mundan ritual has to be avoided
– Buying of new car has to be avoided
– Buying of new house is prohibited
Some things which are very prosperous to do in this time:
– Regular pooja
– Yagya
– Jaap
– Reading holy books
– Feeding needy
– Feeding animals and birds
– Fasting
– Visiting holy places
