The Importance of Adhika Maasam

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The concept of Adhika Masam is unique to the traditional Hindu lunar calendars. In 2010 Hindu calendar, there is an Adhika Masam or Adhik Masa or an extra month. This Adhika Masam is from March 30, 2010 to April 28, 2010 .

 

This extra month is known as Adhik Vaishak Maas or Adhik VaishakMahina. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna and as Vaishaka is auspicious to Vishnu this makes the extra month in 2010 double auspicious.

 

So in 2010 there are thirteen months in Hindu Lunar calendar. Apart from the normal 12 months, there is an an Adhik Vaishaka Maasam.

 

Why There is an Adhika Masam?

 

The Hindu calendar is a lunar calendar and is based on the cycles of the Moon. A lunar month is around 29.5 days long. Now, a solar month, that is the usual calendar, is 30 to 31 days.

 

The lunar year consists of 354 solar days and solar year consists of 365 days. So, as years pass by each lunar month starts earlier to the corresponding solar month. There is a difference of 11 days between the lunar and solar year. In every two or three solar years the difference between the two calendars becomes a full month or around 29 days. To compensate and get the two calendars similar an extra month is added

The Adhika Masa means some change in the temple celebrations in the States following the lunar calendar. For example, due to the Adhika Masam, there will be two Brahmotsavams in Tirupati this year. And the Adhika Masa is dedicated to Lord Krishna.

 

Austerities during Adhika Maasam :

 

Parayana: Reading of sacred scripts especially Bhagavatha during Adhika Masam is given high significance and considered as highly meritorious. Apart from this one can also read other scripts like Bhagavat Geeta, Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Sthothram etc…during Adhika Masam.

 

Naktha Bhojana: Eating one time meals at night with complete fasting during day time and avoiding eating of Urad/Urad dal and preparations made out of it during this period.

 

Eka Bhuktha: It is opposite of the above, eating only once during day time and not taking any food till next day.

 

Uposhana: Completely avoiding meals and taking only milk and fruits during the vratha period.

 

Mouna Vratha: Observing total silence and not talking to any one for a specific period of time every day during the vratha period.

 

Akhanda Deepa: Lighting a lamp (Akhanda Deepa) in Pooja Room and allowing it to glow continuously through out the vratha period (day and night). Only Ghee or Thil Oil should be used for lighting of Deepa.

 

Dharana–Parana: Fasting on one day and eating on the next day during the vratha period.

 

Om Sai Ram