Purushottam Maas (Adhik Maas)

Purushottam Maas (also called Adhik Maas or Mal Maas) is the sacred leap month that occurs every approximately 3 years in the Hindu lunisolar calendar. When Vishnu heard this "extra month" had no ruling deity and would be neglected, he blessed it with his own name (Purushottama) and declared it a month for intensified spiritual practice with double the merit of ordinary months. Every ritual — fasts, puja, mantra recitation, charity — carries double effect during this month.

📅 Upcoming dates

Friday, 16 March 2029 – Friday, 13 April 2029
Tuesday, 19 August 2031 – Tuesday, 16 September 2031

Dates are worked out from the panchang for New Delhi (IST). A tithi ends at a different hour elsewhere, so in some years the day differs by one.

🔔 Puja Vidhi

Rise at Brahma Muhurta throughout the month
Take a river bath (or river-name-invoked home bath) daily
Read one full Vishnu Sahasranama daily
Feed 33 Brahmins on a chosen day
Offer 33 items of the same kind (fruit, flowers, cloth) as charity
Perform Satyanarayan Puja twice in the month (on both Purnimas if timing allows)

📜 Rules

No weddings, thread ceremonies, or new ventures during Adhik Maas
Emphasis on charity and mantra recitation
The "extra" nature of the month makes it ideal for extra spiritual practice

Related reading in the Devotional Library

📖 Ekadashi Vrat Katha

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next Purushottam Maas?

Occurs approximately every 32-33 months. Check current-year panchang for exact dates — the next Adhik Maas is calculated by the Metonic cycle used in Vedic astronomy.