An ornate image depicting the theme of 'Adhik Mass 2026', showcasing a spiritual figure seated on a lotus. The background features intricately designed temples and a serene water body. Text highlights the sacred month dedicated to devotion, fasting, charity, and spiritual growth, with start and end dates: May 17, 2026, to June 15, 2026.

Adhik Maas 2026

The holiest extra month of the Hindu calendar — 30 days of prayer, fasting, charity & devotion to Lord Vishnu.

Begins : 17 May 2026

Duration : 30 Days

Ends : 15 June 2026

What Is Adhik Maas?

A beautifully decorated Puja altar featuring a statue, flowers, traditional lamps, incense sticks, and an assortment of sweets for worship.

Adhik Maas — also known as Purushottam Maas or Mal Maas — is an intercalary (extra) lunar month added to the Hindu calendar approximately every 32–33 months to reconcile the difference between the lunar and solar years.

Since the Hindu lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, a full extra month is inserted to ensure festivals remain aligned with their correct seasons. In 2026, this extra month is called Adhik Jyeshtha, as it falls before the regular Jyeshtha month.

Far from being a mere calendrical correction, Adhik Maas is regarded by millions of Hindus as one of the most spiritually powerful periods of the year — blessed personally by Lord Vishnu and ideal for prayer, fasting, scripture reading, and charity.

Important Dates & Tithis

Graphic listing important dates for Adhik Mass in 2026, including Parama Ekadashi on May 27, Purnima on May 31, Padmini Ekadashi on June 11, and Amavasya on June 15.

Mark these auspicious dates in your calendar. Spiritual observances performed on these days are believed to carry multiplied merit.

Start Date : 17 May 2026

Adhik Maas begins — Pratipada of Adhik Jyeshtha

Parama Ekadashi : 27 May 2026

First and most sacred Ekadashi fast of Adhik Maas

Purnima — Full Moon : 31 May 2026

Ideal for charity, holy bathing, and ancestor rituals

Padmini Ekadashi : 11 June 2026

Second Ekadashi — exceptionally auspicious for Vishnu devotees

Amavasya & End Date : 15 June 2026

New Moon day — Adhik Maas concludes after 30 days

Ekadashi in Purushottam Maas

A person meditating by the river at sunrise, with temples in the background and colorful sky reflecting on the water.

Ekadashi fasts observed during Adhik Maas are considered far more potent than those in regular months. Two special Ekadashis occur exclusively in Purushottam Maas:

Parama Ekadashi📅 Wednesday, 27 May 2026

Fasting on this day is said to grant the blessings of Lord Vishnu and purify accumulated karma from past lives.

Padmini Ekadashi📅 Thursday, 11 June 2026

The most sacred Ekadashi of Purushottam Maas — devotees observe strict fasting, night vigil, and Vishnu Sahasranama recitation.

Why Purushottam Maas Is Sacred

A graphic depicting the benefits of Purushottam Maas, featuring icons for peace, prosperity, removal of negative karma, spiritual growth, and devotion to Lord Vishnu, with a background of traditional lamps.

The Story of the Forgotten Month

Ancient Hindu scriptures describe that when this extra month came into existence, it had no ruling deity. Considered inauspicious and ignored by all, the month approached Lord Vishnu for help. Moved by its devotion, Lord Vishnu declared this month as His own, named it Purushottam Maas, and promised that sincere spiritual practices performed during this period would yield far greater merit than those in any other month.

This divine blessing — described in the Padma Purana, Skanda Purana, and Narada Purana — transformed Adhik Maas from an overlooked month into one of Hinduism’s most sacred observance periods.

Rituals to Follow

Whether you observe all practices or just a few, every act of devotion during Adhik Maas carries deep spiritual significance.

🙏

A beautifully arranged altar featuring two bronze statues of Hindu deities, surrounded by vibrant flowers, candles, and various offerings including coconuts and sweets, creating a serene atmosphere for a daily Vishnu Puja.

Daily Vishnu Puja

Wake before sunrise, offer Tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu, chant Vishnu Sahasranama, and light oil lamps. Visit a Vishnu temple if possible.

📖

Scripture Reading

Daily reading of the Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Purana, Srimad Bhagavatam, or Ramayana purifies the mind and deepens devotion.

🌿

Fasting & Sattvic Diet

Observe complete fasting on Ekadashi. Throughout the month avoid onion, garlic, alcohol, and meat. Follow a sattvic, one-meal-per-day discipline.

🤝

Charity & Donation

Donate food grains, clothing, religious books, or money. Feed the poor and Brahmins. Many traditions suggest donating 33 items for special blessing.

🧘

Meditation & Mantra

Chant Hare Krishna or Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. Use this month for inner transformation and karmic cleansing through daily meditation.

If You feel you are stuck , its time to take a Tarot Reading.

A person holding a deck of ornate playing cards with golden edges, in a cozy setting with a candle in the background. — dream_with_tarot

🪔

Purnima Rituals

On May 31, perform holy bathing, ancestor rituals (Pitra Tarpan), and lamp offerings. Charity on Purnima in Adhik Maas is especially meritorious.

An image displaying a decorative list titled 'Rituals to Follow', featuring items such as Daily Puja & Vishnu Worship, Fasting on Ekadashi, Charity & Donations, Reading Scriptures, and Meditation & Mantra Chanting. The background shows a serene water scene with a lamp and a copy of the Bhagavad Gita. — May Full Moon

Adhik Maas Do’s & Don’ts

✅ Encouraged

🙏 Daily Vishnu puja and mantra chanting
📚 Reading Bhagavad Gita and Vishnu Purana
🤝 Donating food, clothes, and religious items
🌿 Fasting on Ekadashi days
🪔 Lighting lamps and offering Tulsi to Vishnu
🧘 Meditation and spiritual retreat
🌊 Holy bathing on Purnima (May 31)

❌ Traditionally Avoided

💒 Weddings and engagements
🏠 Housewarming (Griha Pravesh) ceremonies
🏢 New business openings and Muhurtas
🧅 Onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food
🍶 Alcohol and intoxicants
📺 Excessive entertainment and social media
🗣️ Harsh speech and negative thinking

A depiction of a Hindu deity seated on a multi-headed serpent, surrounded by a radiant aura, with a serene landscape and temple in the background; the text 'ADHIK MASS - MAAS' and dates 'May 17, 2026 - June 15, 2026' are prominently displayed.

Regional Traditions

Adhik Maas is celebrated with unique customs across different states of India.

🏔️ North India

Intense Vishnu worship at temples
Bhagavad Gita recitation groups
Community charity drives
Akhand Naam Jaap (continuous chanting)

🌺 Maharashtra

Oti Bharan (special women’s ritual)
Lamp offerings at Vitthal temples
Katha (religious storytelling) events
Donating gifts to married women

🌻 Gujarat

Month-long individual fasts
Satsangs and bhajan sessions
Reading Purushottam Mahatmya
Temple processions and Rath Yatra

🌴 South India

Vishnu temple Abhishek ceremonies
Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranama
Annadanam (mass feeding)
Special poojas and homams

A serene sunset over a river with temples in the background, showcasing a vibrant offering plate filled with fruits, flowers, and illuminated lamps, held by a person performing a ritual.

Frequently Asked Questions : All Your Questions Answered

When does Adhik Maas 2026 start and end?

Adhik Maas 2026 begins on May 17, 2026 and ends on June 15, 2026 — a sacred period of exactly 30 days known as Adhik Jyeshtha.

Why is Adhik Maas called Purushottam Maas? +

Purushottam is one of the 1,000 names of Lord Vishnu, meaning “Supreme Being.”

According to the Padma Purana, Lord Vishnu personally blessed this extra month and made it His own, promising extraordinary spiritual merit for all worship performed during this period.

How often does Adhik Maas occur? +

Adhik Maas occurs approximately every 32–33 months (roughly every 3 years). It appears when a lunar month passes without a solar Sankranti — a transition of the Sun into a new zodiac sign. Can marriages take place during Adhik Maas 2026? +

Traditionally, weddings, engagements, housewarmings, and new business inaugurations are avoided during Adhik Maas. The month is reserved for spiritual activity, fasting, prayer, and charity.

Is Adhik Maas considered inauspicious? +

No — this is a common misconception. While major life ceremonies are avoided, Adhik Maas is considered one of the most spiritually auspicious periods in the Hindu calendar, blessed by Lord Vishnu for devotion and inner purification.

What is the Purnima date in Adhik Maas 2026? +

The full moon (Purnima) of Adhik Maas 2026 falls on May 31, 2026 — ideal for holy bathing, ancestor rituals (Pitra Tarpan), lamp offerings, and generous charity.

A traditional prayer setup featuring a brass lamp with flames, incense sticks releasing smoke, a statue of a deity, and an array of sweets and flowers arranged on a decorated table for daily worship.

Make This Adhik Maas Unforgettable

Explore our curated spiritual experiences, temple tours, and festive offerings designed to deepen your connection with India’s sacred traditions.

Explore Experiences

Discover more from Dreamz & Experiences

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Adhik Maas 2026

What Is Adhik Maas?

Important Dates & Tithis

Ekadashi in Purushottam Maas