Concept of Adhika 

Maasa
Posted by: whitephosphorous on: February 2, 2007
 In: Astrology and Vedic Sciences
 23 Comments
Continuing the series on time division based on Vedic astrology, here is a brief explanation on
the concept of Adhika Maasa.
Solar Month
A solar month is the time taken for the sun to pass through one of the twelve segments. The
time when the sun crosses from one sign to the next is called a Sankranti and marks the
beginning of the solar month. Two well-known sankrantis are Makara Sankranti or Pongal
around January 14 and Mesha Sankranti on April 14. Mesha Sankranti marks the beginning of
the New Year in Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Orissa and Tamil Nadu — these states follow a purely
solar calendar for fixing the length of the year.

Lunar Month
The lunar months are defined with respect to the solar months — in fact, they have the same
names as the solar months. In Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat, the lunar
month begins and ends with the new moon (amavasya). In most of North India, the month
runs from full moon to full moon (purnima). The first lunar month of the year in Chaitra. In
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat, Chaitra begins with the last amavasya
before Mesha Sankranti (April 14). The next lunar month is Vaisakha beginning with the first
amavasya during the solar month Vaisakha. Similarly each amavasya falling between two
sankrantis marks the beginning of the lunar month.
The lunar month inherits the same name as the solar month during which amavasya falls. A
solar month is normally 30 to 31 days in length whereas the lunar month is only 29.5 days
long. Thus, as the year goes by, each lunar month starts a little earlier within the
corresponding solar month.
Eventually, an entire lunar month will lie within a solar month — in other words, there will be
two amavasyas between a pair of sankrantis. In such a case we get an extra-intercalated
month, called an adhika masaa.
 For instance, consider a year when there are two amavasyas within the solar month of
Bhadrapada. The first amavasya begins an extra month called Adhika Bhadrapada while the
second one begins the “real” month Nija Bhadrapada.
A year with an adhika maasa occurs around 7 times in 19 years. The adhika maasa could come
at almost any time during the year, depending on which solar month happens to have a double
amavasya.
Occasionally, a very peculiar situation occurs — a lunar month spans two sankrantis. This, for
example, is what happened in 1991-92. There was no amavasya during the solar month
Maagha. As a result, the lunar month Maagha was “lost” and became a kshaya maasa.
 It so happens that a solar month is normally 30 to 31 days long. However, since the earth
moves at varying speeds around the sun, the sun’s apparent motion through the ecliptic is not
uniform. If the earth is moving exceptionally fast, the sun may pass through a sign of the
zodiac in less than a lunar month. Some years have two. This is always the case — a year with
a kshaya maasa will have two adhika maasas.
Though it seems fairly complicated, the luni-solar system does manage to cope with the
tedious problem of reconciling the solar and lunar calendars rather well. However because of
the complication involving the earth’s rotation called precession, the Indian solar calendar does
not keep track of the seasons accurately. 
 Many different societies have developed their own calendars — for instance, the Jews and the
Chinese. Ancient civilizations, which came up with reasonably sophisticated calendars, include
the Babylonians, Egyptians, Assyrians, and Mayans. All of these were luni-solar, although each
had a different way of reconciling the lunar month with the solar year.
Adhika Masa
A chandramana masa in which no sankramana occurs is known as Adhika Masa. The instant at which Sun transits
from one Rashi to the next is called a Sankramana.
Mathematically, a Chandramana Varsha has 354 days, while a Soura Varsha has 365 days, the difference being 11
days per year. In the course of 2 years and 8 months of Chandramana the difference works out to 29.5 days equal to
another Chandramana masa. The 33rd masa is considered as an Adhika masa which brings the two systems
(Chandramana and Souramana) to evenness. Thus, theoretically, every 33rd chandramana masa is an Adhika masa. In
practice, due to the variations in speed of movement of Sun and Moon, Adhika Masa occurs anywhere between
28th and 36th masas.
No Adithya rises in an Adhika masa. Such a masa with no Adithya is called Malimlucha meaning a Napumsaka –
genderless. Shriman Narayana in the name Purushotthama with Lakshmidevi in the name Ananda is the Masa
Niyamaka of Adhika masa. The masa is also referred as Purushotthama masa.
Prajapathi and Vashatkara are the devathas of Adhika masa. Their antharyami Bhagavantha is not different from
Purushottama, the masa Niyamaka.
Accumulation of Punya is more in a Purushotthama masa giving the masa the name Adhika masa. Bhagavantha will
eliminate the papas during the masa giving the masa the name Mala masa. The list of Shubha karyas to be avoided also
justifies the name Mala masa. Bhagavantha will provide Women who observe the Adhika masa with Soubhagya and be
blessed with Sons with immense love to God. Snana in Adhika masa will avoid miscarriages. No other masa is equal to
the Purushotthama masa.
Vrathas & Danas in Adhika Masa
Masa Snana: Snana during Arunodaya (One and a half hour period before Sunrise) on all days of the masa in rivers /
sarovaras / tanks / wells etc.
Ayachitha Vratha: Being content with what you have and not ask anybody for anything.
Akhanda Deepa: One lamp should glow continuously without a break during the entire masa.
Deepa Seva: Lighting of 33 lamps, 108 lamps, 1008 lamps on all days / special days / one day or any combination.
Dharana Parana Vratha: Fifteen cycles of One complete day fasting(dharana) followed by Parana on the next day.
Vishnu Panchaka Vratha: Five fasts during the masa on – Shravana Nakshatra day, Two Ekadashis, Pournami and
Amavasya
Naktha Bhojana / Eka Bhuktha: Complete fasting during the day and just One meal at night time.
Thamboola Dana: On all days of the masa to brahmin couples.
Bagina dana: Women should give away baginas to at least 33 mutthaides.
Apoopa Dana: Apoopas prepared out of Rice, Jaggery and Ghee. At least 33 apoopas in a bronze vessel to be given
away. Ghee in another vessel also to be given away. This is said to bestow Vishesha Phala.
Phala Dana: Minimum of 33 plantains or mangoes or Jack fruit lozenges.
Those who cannot give on all days of the masa should try and give on the special days: Shukla Dwadashi, Pournima,
Krishna Ashtami, Navami, Dwadashi, Chathurdashi and Amavasya.
Note: All danas should be accompanied by Dakshina (cash). Dakshina is the name of the Lakshmidevi seated to the
south of Sriman Narayana. Danas are considered being given to Sriman Narayana and Dakshina to Lakshmidevi by
name Dakshina. Shastras say Dakshina should be equal to the monetary value of the item being given away.
Considering what shastras say, Dakshina should not be just a coin.
Vrathas and Danas are complete only with a Samarpane to Bhagavantha. Traditionally, ?Bharathi ramana Mukhya
Prananthargatha Shri Krishnarpanamastu? is used.
The number 33 mentioned in all the above cases is the minimum indicated and persons who can afford need not limit to
33.
Adhika Masa Na-Karthavyas
Rakshasas by name Nairuthas dominate in the Adhika masa and destroy the phalas of all Kamya karmas – Functions or
Vratas with a specific desire are known as Kamya karmas. List of them to be avoided in an Adhika masa are
Agnyadheya, Devatha Prathishte, Yajna, Vratas, Upakarma, Vrushothsava, Choodakarma (First haircut), Upanayana,
Vivaha, Vasthu devatha pooja, Gruha pravesha, Yathrothsava, Wearing of new ornaments and Mahadanas.
Thulapurushadana, Hiranyagarbhadana, Brahmandadana, Kalpapadapada, Gosahasradana are some of the sixteen
mahadanas.
Yathrothsava: The ban on yathra is only for those who are going for the first time. Here yathra means those who visit
pilgrim centres for darshana and Shraddha.
Karthavyas in Adhika masa
Nithya Sandhyavandana, Devatha Pooja, Vaishwadeva, Pumsavana, Seemantha, Jathakarma, Shanthis associated with
it, Masika Shraddha, Sapindeekarana, Varshika Shraddha (for those who have passed away during an Adhika masa),
Dana & Japa on Grahana day, Chathurmasya vratha (if the Adhika masa happens to be one of the Chathurmasas),
Japas / Archanas etc as Pariharas for illnesses, Japas / Parayanas etc for getting rain, and other routine activities.