Tarun Bissa
Hindu calendar is based on lunar (moon) cycle while english calendar is based on solar cycle. There are 28,30,31 days in a month in english calendar while hindu calendar has fix 29.5 days in a month. There are 365 days in a year in english calendar and 354 in the Hindu
There is difference of 11 days in a year between these two calendars. This difference becomes 22 days in 2 years. And accumulates at 29.5 days (a hindu month) in 2 years 8 months 16 days n 24 mins
So ancient Hindu sages decided to add an extra month after every 2 years, 8 months and 16 days in the Hindu calendar to compensate this difference between Solar and lunar calendars. This extra month is called adhik maas and it keep coming after cycle of 2 years-8 months-and-16 days.
Current Hindu year 2080 is adhik maas year and currently that adhik maas is going on. Adhik maas started on July 18 and will last up to August 16. Name of adhik maas is put on the basis of it falls in which month. In this year it falls in Shravan month.
So it is called Shravan adhik maas this year. Due to this adhik maas we will have extended Shravan and chaturmaas (5 months) this year. Shravan started on july 04 and on july 18, adhikmass came now remaining Shravan month will start from August 17 n will last till Aug 31.
Due to this we will have delayed festivals in this year. Janmashtmi will come in Sep and Diwali in November. Next adhik maas will be from May 17, 2026 to June 15, 2026. It will fall in Jyestha month so it will be called Jyestha adhik maas.
Thank you for reading this story explaining Adhik Maas. Tarun is on twitter and can be found here. Further, PSU Watch brings you exciting viral content in the form of visual stories. Here is another one based on interesting games that help you improve your focus and memory. Click to read