Message from Head Priest
Dear Devotees,
Namaste,
I would like to share the information on the special programs and celebrations in the upcoming quarter. Year 2023 is blessed with Adhik Maas (additional month) according to Hindu calendar.
What is Adhik Maas:
Adhik Maas is an extra month in the Hindu calendar. One of the calendars that Hindu faith follows is the Lunar calendar. A month in the Lunar calendar has 29.5 days unlike a Solar calendar which has 30-31 days. The Hindu Lunar calendar year comprises of 354 days. There is a gap of 11 days between the Solar and Lunar calendars. Within 2-3 years, this gap of 11 days per year adds up to 29-30 days or added month. To make the lunar and the solar calendar similar, an extra month is added to the lunar calendar of Hindu faith. This extra month is called Adhik Maas.
The position of Adhik Maas is not fixed. Adhik Maas can occur between any two months. The Adhik Maas is falling during Shravan Month this year, which is considered as the month of Mahalakshmi.
Significance and story of Adhik Maas:
The Lunar calendar in Hinduism has 12 months. However, before the Adhik Maas came into existence, it could not match with the days of the solar calendar. The sages, i.e., Rishis, Munis started making calculations and introduced an extra month in the lunar calendar of Hinduism called the Adhik Maas. It is said that ages ago, King Nahush by keeping the Adhik Maas vrat freed himself from all bondages and got the throne of Lord Indra, who was the king of heaven.
Spiritual Significance of Adhik Maas:
Adhik Maas is perceived to be a holy month. It has many names like Londa Maas, Purushottama Maas, Mal Maas and so on. In Hinduism, every month is represented by a form of God. The Adhik Maas, however, was not included in the 12 months, initially. Adhik Maas in return pleaded to Lord Vishnu to give him a place in the calendar. Lord Vishnu heard his plea and allowed him to be a part of the calendar.
Adhik Maas is a holy month because, it is believed that if one does good deeds, prays, austerities during the month, then he/she can free himself/herself from sins.
The benefits of Adhik Maas are listed below:
• It is perceived as the holy month in Hinduism.
• It has more significance than other months in Hinduism.
• If one performs austerity, it is good.
• It is believed that one can free oneself from sins by praying, practicing religious activities,
doing Japa and puja keeping fast and so on in the Adhik Maas.
• If one performs selfless acts, that is celebrated.
• It also adds to the spiritual growth of a person.
Since it is the month of Lord Purushottama, it is expected to chant his shlokas, the Suktas, and also the Vishnu Sahasranama. If an individual performs religious activities like puja or Archana, it is believed that his sins wash away. Devotees often keep fast or vrat. It may be due to many reasons like repenting for one's sins, praying for good health and wealth, praying for happiness and peace and so on.
The temple, for the benefit of the congregation, is planning to celebrate the Adhik maas with MahaLakshmi Laksha Kumkuma Archana daily starting from Saturday, July 7th to August 19th. This event is a grand religious event. During these celebrations, we are going to celebrate major events like, Special Chowki, Special Satyanarayana Puja, Special Sundarakanda Path, Special havans, Chhappan Bhog, Special Abhisheks, Special Lalita and Vishnu Sahasranamams, Snatrra Puja, and Cultural programs. The temple is going to be busy with all these pujas during the weekends between
July 7th to August 19th. This is the best opportunity for the devotees to celebrate Adhik purushottam maas with all rituals.
The following mantra is to be recited for Adhik Purushottam Maas every day. Please observe during Adhik Maas.
गोवर्धनर्रं वन्दे गोपालं गोपरूपपणम।्
गोकु लोत्सवमीशानं गोपवन्दं गोपपकापियम।् ।
GOVARDHANA DHARAM VANDE GOPALAM GOPA RUPINAM
GOKULOTSAVAM ISHAANAM GOVINDAM GOPIKA PRIYAM
Please participate in the special Adhik Maas rituals and reap its benefits and always be blessed by Lord Ganesha and all the forms of the One Almighty and enjoy the divine bliss.
With Divine thoughts
Pandit Shrinath Kadambi
Pradhan Acharya, Head Priest
HSNEF