Why Adhik Maas is Important in Hindu Religion?

Adhik Maas is an extra month added in the Hindu calendar, which balances the Lunar and Solar calendar. This phenomenon occurs every three years or 32.5 months. As it reoccurs every 32.5 months, the month is also variable. Last year in 2020, it was observed during Ashwin Month (Around September by Western calendar). It adopts the name of the month it occurs.

Another name for Ashik Maas is ‘Mal Maas’. In the past, this name came up because Adhik Maas is considered the thirteenth month of the year treated as something of an extra or filthy like faeces, which is the reason for auspicious events and even simple religious ceremonies are avoided throughout this month.

Adhik maas is known to be the home of Lord Vishnu. He had another name known as ‘Purushottam’ (Greatest of all men) and Adhik Maas is also well known as Purushottam Maas. Now you must be thinking about why this month is this important—the story behind this incident Indian sages in ancient times dedicated each lunar month to a certain deity.

Accordingly, Adhik Maas was manifested to balance solar and lunar activities on earth. Now no deity was ready for the lordship of this extra month. So all sages insisted Lord Vishnu accept the lordship of Adhik month. Therefore, he accepted their request and this month became known as Purushottam Maas.

That might arise a question of why this month only comes around three years, but then this has a scientific reason behind the structure of the solar system.