What is an Adhika Masam / Masa? Adhika Masam is extra / additional month added once in every 2 or 3 years only in the Hindu Lunar calendar so as to synchronize it with the solar calendar. A Hindu lunar year with Adhika Masam will have 13 months instead of the usual 12 months. The states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat follow lunar calendar whereas the states that follow Hindu Solar Calendar don't have Adhika Masam. Adhika Masam is known by different names in different regions. Different names of Adhika masam are: Purushottam Maas, Mala Maas, Kala Mahina, Adhik Mahina. The word 'adhika / adhik' literally means 'more'. Why there is Adhika Masam in the Lunar Calendar? Hindu lunar calendar is based on the revolution of moon around the sun while the solar calendar is based on the sun's transition from one zodiac sign / raasi to another. When moon completes one revolution, a new month begins in the lunar calendar. In most
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