The auspicious period of Adhik Maas takes place from September 18 to October 16, 2020. Adhik means ‘additional’ and is an extra month in the Hindu calendar, which is calculated according to the lunar cycle. This month is added to the calendar every two years or more. It is considered an auspicious time for worshipping the Divine through pujas and other forms of worship.
In the Hindu scriptural text Vratraaj, Bhagavan Vishnu responds to Lakshmi Maataa on her questions regarding the greatness of Adhik Maas, also called Malmaas or Purushottam Maas. It explains the reason behind the extra month that affords additional time to focus on the Divine. According to Bhagavan Vishnu:
1. Whenever Sankranti does not fall within one month, then that month is considered to be an adhik or extra month and Adhik Maas occurs. The lunar calendar year then has 13 months.
2. When there are two Sankrantis or solar transitions within one month, it is referred to as a kshaya (lost) month and the year becomes a lunar year with one reduced month (11 months). A lunar year comprising eleven months only is very rare. It occurs once in 140 years or once in 190 years. The extra month or Adhik Maas occurs every two to three years.
3. Bhagavan Vishnu said that He is the God of Adhik Maas. He says, “There is no doubt that whosoever performs shodas-opachaar (sixteen steps of worship) and worships the holy ones in Adhik Maas, he receives all fulfilment.”
4. In Adhik Maas all success comes when regular injunctions are carried out: sandhya, shodas puja, shraadh, etc.
5. Whosoever offers gifts, performs jap (repetition of mantras), havan, engages in self-study, pitri tarpan (offerings made in the name of ancestors), archana (worship) and shubh karam (auspicious, sacred actions) during this month, attains all fulfilment.
6. The welfare of mankind is served well through rituals performed at this time.
7. Sins of many lifetimes can be destroyed by sacrifices made in Adhik Maas.
8. Worship of Surya Bhagavan during this period removes all sins.
9. Vratraaj quotes from Bhavishya Puraan which states that whosoever does not worship the Lord with devotion, is bereft of wealth, children, relatives and friends.
Many examples are given in Vratraaj, of individuals who were redeemed through austere sacrifices and worship during Adhik Maas. On the other hand, according to Vratraaj, anyone who spends this period idly, bereft of performing worship, suffers from sin, worry and poverty. The month of Adhik Maas is most auspicious for worship.
