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Adhik Maas 2026: The year 2026 will be extremely special from a religious and astrological perspective. While a normal year has 365 days and a leap year has 366 days, the Hindu calendar has a unique system in which a year can sometimes have not 12, but 13 months. This additional month occurs once every three years, and 2026 is one such year. In simple terms, during Vikram Samvat 2083, an extra lunar month will be added, due to which Adhik Maas will fall in the month of Jyeshtha and will continue for approximately 60 days. As a result, this year will have 13 months, significantly increasing its spiritual and cultural importance.
Adhik Maas is considered highly significant from religious, astrological, and spiritual perspectives. It is also known as Purushottam Maas. This month is regarded as a rare and special astronomical phenomenon. In astrology, Adhik Maas is considered extremely sacred. Engaging in worship, chanting, penance, charity, and devotion to Lord Vishnu during this period is believed to be highly auspicious. In Hindu tradition, Lord Vishnu, the sustainer of the universe, is considered the presiding deity of Adhik Maas.
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You might also be curious about Adhik Maas 2026 and eager to learn more about this sacred month. Keeping this in mind, AstroSage AI has specially prepared this blog for its readers. In it, you will find information about the starting and ending dates of Adhik Maas, its religious significance, and more. Additionally, we will also guide you on the precautions to follow during this period. So, without any delay, let us move ahead and explore everything about Adhik Maas 2026.
Duration of Adhik Maas in 2026
As we know, the Hindu year consists of 12 months and begins with the month of Chaitra. However, in 2026, according to the Hindu calendar (Vikram Samvat 2083), there will be 13 months because Adhik Maas will occur this year.
During this period, the month of Jyeshtha will last for two months instead of one. This happens because Adhik Maas falls within Jyeshtha, making the month 60 days long instead of the usual 30 days. Worshipping Lord Vishnu during Adhik Maas is considered highly rewarding, and religious rituals performed in this time are believed to bring auspicious results and well-being.
Adhik Maas 2026 Start Date: May 17, 2026 (Sunday)
Adhik Maas 2026 End Date: June 15, 2026 (Monday)
Sunrise Time: 05:48 AM
Sunset Time: 06:57 PM
You may already know that Adhik Maas is an extra month that occurs once every three years. It is added to balance the difference between the lunar and solar calendars. Adhik Maas is also known as Purushottam Maas and Mal Maas.
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Jyeshtha Month Will Occur Twice in 2026
According to the Hindu Panchang, in Vikram Samvat 2083, Adhik Maas will fall in the month of Jyeshtha. The Adhik Jyeshtha month will begin on May 17, 2026, and end on June 15, 2026. Meanwhile, the regular Jyeshtha month will start on May 2, 2026, and conclude on May 16, 2026. From the very next day, Adhik Jyeshtha will begin.
Due to the presence of Adhik Maas this year, all the fasts and festivals that occur after Jyeshtha will be shifted forward by approximately 15 to 20 days. For example, Raksha Bandhan, which usually falls around August 15, will be celebrated on August 28, 2026. Similarly, Diwali will be observed on November 8, 2026.
Fasts and Festivals During Adhik Maas 2026
This year, Adhik Maas will be observed from May 17, 2026, to June 15, 2026. Below is the list of important fasts and festivals falling during this period:
| Date | Festival Name |
| May 27, 2026 (Wednesday) | Padmini Ekadashi |
| May 28, 2026 (Thursday) | Pradosh Vrat (Shukla Paksha) |
| May 31, 2026 (Sunday) | Purnima Vrat |
| June 3, 2026 (Wednesday) | Sankashti Chaturthi |
| June 11, 2026 (Thursday) | Parama Ekadashi |
| June 12, 2026 (Friday) | Pradosh Vrat (Krishna Paksha) |
| June 13, 2026 (Saturday) | Masik Shivratri |
| June 15, 2026 (Monday) | Amavasya, Mithun Sankranti |
Religious Significance of Adhik Maas
In Hinduism, Adhik Maas, occurring once every three years, is also known as Mal Maas, Malimcha, and Purushottam Maas. It is believed that observing fasts during this period helps a person get rid of all sins. As we know, the lunar year consists of 12 months, and to align it with the solar calendar’s days and seasons, sages in ancient times calculated and added an extra month, known as Adhik Maas.
According to Hindu beliefs, each month of the year was associated with a particular deity, but Adhik Maas initially had no presiding deity. Because of this, it was called Mal Maas or Malimcha and was considered separate from the other months. It is said that Adhik Maas expressed its sorrow and suffering to Lord Vishnu, the sustainer of the universe, and sought refuge in him. Lord Vishnu showed compassion and declared himself the ruler of this month, which is why it came to be known as Purushottam Maas.
Lord Vishnu also proclaimed that the spiritual merit gained from chanting, penance, and good deeds in other months could equally be attained by performing these acts during this one month. Since then, the importance of this month has been considered even greater than that of other months. In ancient times, King Nahusha is believed to have observed the fasts of Mal Maas, which freed him from all bonds and helped him attain the status of the gods.
Birth of a Child During Adhik Maas 2026: Auspicious or Inauspicious?
People often wonder whether a child born during Adhik Maas is considered auspicious or inauspicious. However, according to Hindu scriptures, a child born in Adhik Maas is not considered inauspicious. This belief is generally rooted in traditional misconceptions and has no real basis in religious teachings.
On the contrary, as per religious beliefs, Purushottam Maas is regarded as a sacred and favorite month of Lord Vishnu. Therefore, a child born during Adhik Maas is believed to receive the special blessings of Lord Vishnu. With divine grace, such a child may develop spiritual qualities and virtues.
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Mythological Story Related to Adhik Maas
Religious texts mention a story associated with Adhik Maas. According to this tale, Goddess Lakshmi once asked Lord Vishnu how one should perform worship during this month. Lord Vishnu replied that since he himself is the presiding deity of this month, it is called Purushottam Maas. He further explained that performing religious acts such as chanting, penance, and rituals like havan during this period brings eternal rewards, benefits that never diminish.
Lord Vishnu also explained that those who do not perform virtuous deeds during this month may have to face difficulties such as poverty and sorrow related to children. He further told Goddess Lakshmi that those who are unable to engage in good deeds throughout the entire month can at least perform them on specific important dates, such as Ashtami, Navami, Dwadashi, Chaturdashi of the Krishna Paksha, and on Purnima.
Why Does Adhik Maas Occur?
Adhik Maas, also known as Mal Maas or Purushottam Maas, appears in the Hindu lunar calendar approximately once every three years. This extra month is added to balance the difference between the lunar and solar cycles. In simple terms, the lunar year is slightly shorter than the solar year, so an additional month is included as Adhik Maas to make up for this gap.
While a solar year has 365 days, a lunar year consists of about 354–355 days. This creates a difference of around 11 days each year, which accumulates to about 32–33 days over three years. To balance this difference, an extra month is added, which is known as Adhik Maas.
When Will Adhik Maas Occur in the Coming Years?
As mentioned earlier, Adhik Maas does not occur every year. Below is a list of upcoming years and the months in which Adhik Maas will fall:
| Year | Name of Adhik Maas |
| 2026 | Jyeshtha Adhik Maas |
| 2029 | Bhadrapada Adhik Maas |
| 2031 | Chaitra Adhik Maas |
| 2034 | Ashadha Adhik Maas |
| 2037 | Jyeshtha Adhik Maas |
| 2039 | Ashwin Adhik Maas |
| 2042 | Shravan Adhik Maas |
Thus, in the future as well, Adhik Maas will continue to occur in different months from time to time to maintain balance between the lunar and solar calendars.
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Restrictions on Auspicious Activities
In the Hindu year of 2026, Adhik Maas will occur during the month of Jyeshtha, making it last for a continuous period of 60 days. However, once Adhik Maas begins on May 17, 2026, auspicious activities will be paused for the next 30 days (one month). It is important to note that during both Adhik Maas and Khar Maas, auspicious ceremonies are considered prohibited.
In Hindu tradition, activities such as marriage, housewarming (Griha Pravesh), Mundan, Namkaran ceremonies, Bhoomi Pujan, or starting a new business are generally avoided during Adhik Maas. It is believed that planetary positions are not favorable during this period, and therefore, auspicious activities may not yield the desired results. For this reason, people are advised to avoid major and ceremonial undertakings during this time.
What to Do & What Not to Do During Adhik Maas
What to Do:
Purushottam Maas is named after Lord Vishnu, who is considered the ruler of this month. Therefore, performing certain activities during this time is considered highly auspicious:
- Engaging in prayer, fasting, charity, and mantra chanting is highly beneficial.
- Reading religious scriptures, especially the Bhagavad Gita, is considered very rewarding.
- Charity holds great importance during this period, especially donating food to the poor.
- Helping the needy, if possible, is believed to bring spiritual merit.
- Chanting the name of Lord Vishnu and performing havan (fire rituals) is also considered beneficial.
What Not to Do?
During Adhik Maas, certain activities are prohibited, so you should avoid them to ensure that the blessings of Lord Vishnu remain with you.
- Auspicious ceremonies such as marriage, Mundan ceremony, Griha Pravesh (housewarming), Bhoomi Pujan, starting a new business, or naming ceremonies should not be performed during Mal Maas or Adhik Maas.
- You should avoid consuming meat and alcohol during this period. Doing so is believed to bring negative effects, leading to issues such as poverty, misfortune, and illness.
- During this time, you must strictly avoid insulting or disrespecting the helpless, poor, or needy. Also, do not trouble them or cause them any harm.
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Benefits of Worship & Religious Practices During Adhik Maas 2026
- Observing a fast during Adhik Maas is considered equivalent to performing a hundred yajnas, and it is believed to bless a person with happiness, peace, and prosperity in life.
- Those who perform good deeds and maintain control over their senses during this month are believed to attain relief from suffering.
- Worshipping Lord Vishnu during Adhik Maas is said to free a person from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
- Repenting for one’s sins during this period enhances spiritual growth and brings inner purification.
- Performing special rituals or dosha nivaran pujas during Adhik Maas is considered beneficial for reducing planetary doshas in one’s horoscope.
- During this month, devotees recite sacred texts such as the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana, Bhavishyottara Purana, Devi Bhagavata, and Vishnu Purana.
- Since Adhik Maas is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, i.e., Purushottam, chanting Vishnu Sahasranama and sacred hymns is considered highly rewarding.
5 Must-Do Practices During Adhik Maas 2026
- Worship of Lord Krishna: As Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity of Adhik Maas, worshipping his incarnations such as Lord Narasimha and Lord Krishna is considered highly auspicious. Their worship during this month is believed to remove all troubles from life. Devotees who observe fasts and worship Lord Krishna during Adhik Maas are believed to be freed from sins and attain Vaikuntha.
- Holy Bath and Service: Purushottam Maas is closely associated with sacred places like Jagannath Puri, which is also known as Purushottam Kshetra and is considered the earthly Vaikuntha in scriptures. Visiting Jagannath during this period is considered highly auspicious. If that is not possible, one should take a holy bath in the Ganga or other sacred rivers.
- Fasting: Observing fasts during Adhik Maas 2026 is considered very beneficial. Ideally, one should eat only once a day. Foods such as rice, wheat, green gram, barley, bathua, sesame seeds, amaranth, peas, banana, cucumber, milk, amla, ghee, curd, peepal, dry ginger, cumin, tamarind, fenugreek, rock salt, mulberry, betel leaves, and areca nut can be consumed. One should avoid meat, fermented rice water, honey, mustard, urad dal, radish, lentils, garlic, onion, intoxicants, and stale food during this period.
- Light an Akhand Deepak: During Adhik Maas, keep a continuous ghee lamp (Akhand Deepak) lit in your home temple in front of a Shaligram idol. If Shaligram is not available, you can light the lamp before an idol or image of Lord Vishnu. This practice is believed to destroy sins accumulated over many lifetimes and bring peace, prosperity, and happiness.
- Reading Sacred Texts: Reciting the Purushottam Mahatmya during Adhik Maas is highly beneficial. If that is not possible, one should read or listen to the Shrimad Bhagavatam or regularly recite Chapter 14 (Purushottam Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita with meaning. Chanting Vishnu Sahasranama is also considered highly auspicious during this period.
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Frequently Asked Questions
This year, the Hindu calendar will have 13 months instead of the usual 12 because Adhik Maas will occur.
In 2026, Adhik Maas will begin on May 17 and will fall in the month of Jyeshtha.
In Hindu tradition, Lord Vishnu is considered the presiding deity of Adhik Maas, so worshipping him during this month is believed to be highly beneficial.