Story, Significance, Legends, Spiritual Importance & Vishnu Worship During the Sacred Extra Month
Adhik Maas 2026 Dates
📅 Start Date: Sunday, 17 May 2026
📅 End Date: Monday, 15 June 2026
Adhik Maas, also known as Purushottam Maas or Mal Maas, is one of the most spiritually powerful months in Sanatan Dharma. It is entirely dedicated to Lord Vishnu, especially His form as Purushottam Narayan.
This sacred month appears approximately once every 32 months to balance the lunar and solar calendars.
🌟 What is Adhik Maas?
According to the Hindu Panchang system:
- A lunar year has approximately 354 days
- A solar year has approximately 365 days
This creates a difference of around 11 days every year.
To balance this difference, an additional lunar month is inserted periodically, known as Adhik Maas.
As explained in traditional Jyotish calculations:
“Yadā saṅkrānti-hīnaḥ māsaḥ bhavati, tadā adhika-māsaḥ.”
When a lunar month occurs without Surya Sankranti, it becomes Adhik Maas.
🌼 Why Is Adhik Maas Called Purushottam Maas?
There are many sacred legends associated with Adhik Maas.
According to a famous Vaishnava legend:
Initially, the extra month had no ruling deity. Since every month already belonged to one of the devas, the additional month felt neglected and was called Mal Maas.
Feeling rejected and sorrowful, the month approached Lord Vishnu and prayed for protection.
The month said:
“No deity accepts me. Therefore people call me Mal Maas. Kindly grant me shelter.”
Lord Vishnu compassionately accepted the month and declared:
“You shall now bear My own name — Purushottam Maas.”
Thus, Adhik Maas became known as Purushottam Maas, the sacred month of Lord Vishnu.
According to the legend, Lord Vishnu further blessed the month, saying:
- Charity performed in this month gives multiplied merit
- Japam, homam, puja, and vrat become extremely powerful
- Spiritual practices done in these 30 days yield benefits equal to many months of worship
This is why Purushottam Maas is considered one of the best periods for:
- Vishnu worship
- Charity
- Fasting
- Reading scriptures
- Naam japa and yajna
📖 The Legend of Devi Lakshmi and Adhik Maas
Another sacred story describes a conversation between Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu.
Devi Lakshmi once asked Lord Vishnu about the significance of Adhik Maas and the rituals performed during this period.
Lord Vishnu replied:
- He Himself is the presiding deity of this month
- Any homa, japa, puja, daana, or spiritual practice done during this period grants Akshaya Phala (imperishable merit)
- Even devotees unable to observe the full month may perform rituals on:
- Ashtami
- Navami
- Dwadashi
- Chaturdashi
- Purnima
These days are especially auspicious during Purushottam Maas.
📜 Alternative Legend of Adhik Maas – Story of Kaushika & Maitreya
Ancient scriptures also narrate the story of a Brahmana named Kaushika and his son Maitreya.
Maitreya became addicted to bad habits and eventually committed Brahma Hatya (killing of a Brahmana). Due to this grave sin, he suffered severe karmic consequences and was taken to Naraka (hell) by Yamadootas.
After many years, Kaushika discovered the truth and searched ancient scriptures for a remedy.
He performed:
- Adhik Maas vrat
- Vishnu worship
- Daana (charity)
- Sacred offerings during Purushottam Maas
As a result:
- His son was relieved from severe karmic suffering
- The Brahma Hatya Dosha was reduced
- Divine grace protected the family
This legend highlights the immense spiritual importance of:
- Vrat
- Daana
- Vishnu bhakti during Adhik Maas
Spiritual Importance of Adhik Maas
Purushottam Maas is considered ideal for:
✔ Vishnu Worship
✔ Reading Bhagavad Gita & Vishnu Sahasranama
✔ Charity & Annadaan
✔ Yagya & Homa
✔ Naam Japa
✔ Fasting & Self-discipline
✔ Spiritual purification
✔ Karmic cleansing
According to Vaishnava traditions:
“Purushottama māse kṛtaṁ sarvaṁ akṣayaṁ bhavati.”
All spiritual acts done in Purushottam Maas become inexhaustibly fruitful.
🛕 Adhik Maas at Shree Navgrah Mandir
During Adhik Maas, devotees especially visit Shree Navgrah Mandir, Khargone, for darshan and Vishnu-related worship.
☀️ Surya Narayan Darshan
Many devotees worship Lord Surya Narayan, seeing Surya as:
- Narayan
- Vishnu tattva
- Divine source of life and dharma
Special recommendations during Adhik Maas include:
- Surya Puja
- Surya Abhishekam
- Vishnu prayers connected with Surya Narayan worship
🌼 Shree Pattabhirama Darbar – A Rare Divine Form
The temple also houses the sacred Shree Pattabhirama Darbar, featuring a unique and spiritually rare form of:
- Lord Rama
- Sita
- Lakshmana
- Hanuman
- Bharat
- Shatrughna
- Kamadhenu
A rare aspect of this Darbar is:
Lord Rama worshipping a Shivlingam
This unique representation symbolises:
- Dharma
- Bhakti
- Harmony between Shaiva & Vaishnava traditions
Recommended Worship During Adhik Maas 2026
⭐ Vishnu Puja
⭐ Vishnu Yagya
⭐ Vishnu Sahastranaam Paath
⭐ Ram Raksha Stotra Patha
⭐ Surya Puja & Abhishekam
⭐ Purushottam Maas Vrat
⭐ Charity & Annadaan
🌍 Online Puja & Yagya Booking Worldwide
Devotees worldwide can participate in:
- Online Vishnu Puja
- Vishnu Yagya
- Ram Puja
- Surya Puja
- Vishnu Sahastranaam Path
through Shree Navgrah Mandir.
