The Hindu calendar is based on the lunar cycle, where each lunar month is approximately 29.5 days long. As a result, a lunar year consists of around 354 days, whereas the solar year is approximately 365 days. This creates a difference of nearly 11 days every year.
Over a period of approximately 32 to 33 months, this accumulated difference becomes equal to one complete lunar month. To harmonize the lunar and solar calendars, an additional month known as Adhik Maas or Purushottam Maas is inserted into the Hindu calendar.
Adhik Maas is therefore a sacred extra lunar month that appears approximately once every 2.5 to 3 years.
Adhik Maas 2026 Dates
In 2026, Adhik Maas falls during the Jyeshtha month and is known as Adhik Jyeshtha Maas.
Adhik Maas begins on 17 May 2026 and ends on 15 June 2026 .
This sacred period is considered highly auspicious for spiritual practices, mantra chanting, fasting, devotion, charity, self-reflection and inner transformation.
Why is Adhik Maas Called Purushottam Maas?
Adhik Maas is also known as Purushottam Maas, Mal Maas, Malimmacha Maas and Londa Maas.
According to Hindu scriptures and legends, every lunar month was associated with a presiding deity. Since Adhik Maas did not belong to a regular cycle, it was neglected and considered inauspicious, receiving the name Mal Maas.
Feeling rejected and insignificant, Adhik Maas approached Lord Vishnu and sought refuge. Lord Vishnu accepted the month as His own and blessed it with the name Purushottam Maas.
Lord Vishnu declared that prayers, austerities, japa, charity, fasting and spiritual practices performed during this month would grant immense spiritual merit and purification.
He further blessed this month by stating that the merits gained through intense spiritual practices in other months could be attained much more easily during Purushottam Maas.
Since then, Adhik Maas has become one of the holiest and spiritually rewarding periods in the Hindu calendar.
Spiritual Significance of Adhik Maas
Adhik Maas is not just an astronomical adjustment in the calendar. Spiritually, it is considered a sacred pause in life — a time to slow down, reflect inwardly, release negativity, strengthen faith, practise self-discipline and reconnect with the Divine.
It is believed that spiritual efforts made during this period multiply greatly and help in karmic cleansing, emotional healing and spiritual growth.
The deeper message of Adhik Maas teaches surrender over control, awareness over reaction, simplicity over excess and devotion over ego.
Adhik Maas reminds us that life is not only about achievement, desires and external success. It is a sacred opportunity to reconnect with oneself, heal emotionally, release accumulated stress and negativity, strengthen faith and align with a higher purpose.
This month teaches us that true abundance comes not from external accumulation, but from inner peace, awareness, devotion and spiritual connection.
Purushottam Maas is therefore regarded as one of the most powerful periods for self-transformation, karmic cleansing, devotion and inner awakening.
Legends Associated with Adhik Maas
According to ancient scriptures, Goddess Lakshmi once asked Lord Vishnu about the significance and observance of Adhik Maas. Lord Vishnu explained that He Himself presides over this sacred month in the form of Purushottama.
He stated that spiritual acts such as Snaana (sacred bath), Japa (mantra chanting), Dhyana (meditation), Homa (fire rituals), Vrata (fasting), Dana (charity), prayers and devotional activities performed during this month grant Akshaya Phala — everlasting spiritual merit.
Scriptures also mention that King Nahush, through the observance of Mal Maas Vrat, was freed from his karmic bondages and attained the throne of Indra, king of the Devas.
Important Days During Adhik Maas 2026
Parama Ekadashi falls on 27 May 2026 , Adhik Maas Purnima on 31 May 2026 , Padmini Ekadashi on 11 June 2026 and Adhik Maas Amavasya on 15 June 2026 .
These days are regarded as especially powerful for Vishnu worship, fasting, meditation, Vishnu Sahasranama chanting, charity and spiritual disciplines.
Best Muhurta During Adhik Maas
The most auspicious time for spiritual practices during Adhik Maas is Brahma Muhurta, approximately between 4:00 am and 6:00 am .
This time is considered ideal for meditation, mantra chanting, pranayama, Vishnu worship, scriptural reading and silent contemplation.
Sunrise, sunset, Ekadashi, Purnima and Amavasya are also regarded as spiritually powerful periods during this month.
What Should Be Done During Adhik Maas?
During this sacred period, devotees perform various religious and spiritual practices such as fasting, mantra japa, havans, pujas, meditation, satsang, Vishnu Sahasranama chanting, Bhagavad Gita reading, Tulsi worship, Deep daan, charity, annadaan, temple visits and selfless service.
People observe vrats according to their capacity and discipline. Some undertake full-day fasting, while others follow partial fasting, fruit-only fasting, one-time sattvic meals, weekly vrats or month-long spiritual observances.
Reading or listening to sacred texts during this period is considered highly meritorious, especially scriptures such as the Shrimad Bhagavatam, Vishnu Purana, Bhagavad Gita, Devi Bhagavatam and Bhavishyottara Purana.
Adhik Maas is also a month of purification and discipline. Devotees are encouraged to wake up early, eat sattvic food, maintain purity in speech and actions, avoid negativity and gossip, reduce overstimulation and spend more time in prayer, silence and introspection.
Many devotees avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, junk food, excessive indulgence, onion, garlic and negative environments during this sacred month.
What Should Be Avoided During Adhik Maas?
Traditionally, Adhik Maas is considered unsuitable for major worldly or celebratory beginnings such as marriages, engagements, housewarming ceremonies, mundan ceremonies, naming ceremonies and luxury purchases.
The focus of this month is spiritual purification rather than material celebration.
Spiritually, one should especially avoid anger, ego conflicts, gossip, criticism, fear, negativity, emotional excesses, attachment to outcomes and wasteful habits.
Benefits of Observing Adhik Maas
Observing Adhik Maas sincerely is believed to bring mental peace, spiritual upliftment, emotional purification, karmic cleansing, discipline, clarity and blessings of Lord Vishnu.
Fasting and spiritual practices during this month are considered equivalent to performing numerous yajnas and sacred rituals. Repentance, prayer, charity and selfless acts performed during this period greatly add to one’s spiritual merit.
It is also believed that spiritual practices during Adhik Maas help reduce the malefic effects of planetary doshas and karmic imbalances.
Importance of Charity During Adhik Maas
Charity and helping others hold special significance during this sacred month.
Feeding the poor, donating clothes and food grains, helping cows and animals, supporting temples and spiritual institutions, offering lamps and serving people selflessly are regarded as highly meritorious acts during Purushottam Maas.
Acts performed with devotion and humility during this period are believed to carry multiplied spiritual merit.
Significance of the Number 33 During Adhik Maas
In many traditions, the number 33 is considered sacred during Adhik Maas, symbolising the 33 crore Devas.
Many devotees light 33 lamps, offer 33 food items, donate 33 items or observe 33-day spiritual disciplines during this sacred month.
Special Adhik Maas Rituals at Rudra Centre
As Adhik Maas is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in His Purushottam form, this sacred month is considered one of the most powerful periods for Vishnu worship, karmic cleansing and spiritual upliftment.
Special Vishnu-related pujas and anushthans performed during this period include Lord Vishnu Puja, Lakshmi Narayan Puja, Purushottam Maas Vishnu Anushthan, Vishnu Sahasranama Paath, Sudarshan Havan and Graha Dosha Nivaran Pujas.
Vishnu Yantra During Adhik Maas
The Vishnu Yantra is considered highly auspicious during Adhik Maas as the entire month is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Worshipping an energized Vishnu Yantra during this period is believed to attract divine blessings, create harmony and stability, remove obstacles, reduce negativity and strengthen one’s connection with Lord Vishnu’s sustaining and protective energies.
19 Mukhi Vishnu Rudraksha
The 19 Mukhi Rudraksha is blessed by Lord Narayana (Vishnu) and is regarded as one of the most powerful Rudrakshas for fulfilment, abundance, protection and spiritual growth.
Wearing the 19 Mukhi Vishnu Rudraksha during Adhik Maas is believed to help remove obstacles and fears, strengthen confidence, attract prosperity and opportunities, support emotional balance and align one with higher consciousness and dharma.
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