Adhika Masa {{masa}} Amavasya 2026

Adhika Masa Amavasya is the new-moon day that ends the Bahula Paksha of an Adhika Masa. Roughly once in two and a half to three years the lunar calendar gains an extra month, called Adhika Masa or Purushottama Masa, and this is the Amavasya of that month. It is named after the month that repeats, for example Adhika Shravana or Adhika Jyeshtha.

Why Is There an Adhika Masa?

The lunar year is about eleven days shorter than the solar year. To stop this gap from growing and pushing festivals out of their seasons, a lunar month during which the Sun does not move into a new rashi (no sankramanam) is counted as an extra month. A puranic story says this month was first scorned as "mala masa", and Sri Maha Vishnu honoured it by giving it his own name, Purushottama Masa.

What to Do on This Amavasya

• Bathe early and worship Sri Maha Vishnu or Sri Krishna.
• Offer tarpanam to the ancestors with sesame and water.
• Read Vishnu Sahasranamam or the Bhagavad Gita.
• Give deepa danam, annadanam or clothes; some families follow the custom of donating apupalu (sweets like ariselu) during Adhika Masa.
• Light a lamp at the Tulasi kota in the evening.

Observances

Weddings, gruhapravesham, upanayanam and similar auspicious events are generally not held in Adhika Masa, and this is followed even more strictly on its Amavasya. It is, however, an excellent time for japa, tapas, charity and pilgrimage. Non-vegetarian food and alcohol are avoided. Only after the Adhika Masa ends does the regular (Nija) month begin, and that month's festivals are celebrated then.

Significance

Elders say every good deed done in Purushottama Masa yields manifold merit. Offering tarpanam and charity on this closing Amavasya is believed to complete the sadhana of the whole month.

By the grace of Purushottama, may everyone be blessed with peace and good health.