In Hindu calendar 2023 (2023-2024), there is an Adhik Maas (Mala Maas, Adhika Masam). It is an extra month according to lunar calendar.
2023-2024 Hindu calendar Year is known as Shobhakruth Nama Samvatsara. ‘Shravana Masam’ (Shravan Month) comes twice in 2023, one is Adhika Shravana Masam (Pratham Shravan Maas) and the another one is Nija Shravana Masam (Dwitiya Shravan Maas).
As per North Indian Hindi calendars, Adhika Masam begins on 18 July and ends on 16 August. In Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada & Telugu calendars also, Adhika Masam is from July 18 to 16 August.
It is to note that Adhik Month is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Adhik Maas is also referred to as Mala Maasa or Purushottama Maasa.
Why Adhik Month comes?
A lunar year has 354 days while a solar year has 365 days. This means, at the rate of 11 days a year, in the course of 2 years 8 months, the difference is 29 and a half days equal to a lunar month. Therefore every 33rd month is considered an ‘Adhika Masa.
In practice, the speeds of the Sun and Moon can cause the Adhika Masa to be between the 28th and 36th months. ‘Adhika Masa (also called ‘Mala masa and ‘Purshotthama masa) is not followed in Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Odisha and Tamil Nadu since they follow the 365 day calendar and it is Solar Calendar (Sauramana Panchangam).
Tithis, dates in Adhik Maas 2023
18 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Pratipada (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Pratipada)
19 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Dwitiya (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Dwitiya)
20 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Tritiya (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Tritiya)
21 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Tritiya (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Tritiya)
22 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Chaturthi (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Chaturthi)
23 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Panchami (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Panchami)
24 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Shashti (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Shashti)
25 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Saptami (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Saptami)
26 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Ashtami (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Ashtami)
27 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Navami (Adhik AShravan Shukla Paksha Navami)
28 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Dashami (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Dashami)
29 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Ekadashi (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Ekadashi)
30 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Dwadashi (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Dwadashi)
31 July 2023 – Adhik Maas Trayodashi | Chaturdashi (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Trayodashi | Chaturdashi)
1 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Purnima (Adhik Shravan Shukla Paksha Purnima)
2 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Pratipada (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Pratipada)
3 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Dwitiya (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Dwitiya)
4 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Tritiya (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Tritiya)
5 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Chaturthi (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Chaturthi)
6 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Panchami | Shashti (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Panchami | Shashti)
7 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Saptami (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Saptami)
8 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Ashtami (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Ashtami)
9 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Navami (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Navami)
10 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Dashami (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Dashami)
11 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Ekadashi (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Ekadashi)
12 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Ekadashi (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Ekadashi)
13 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Dwadashi (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Dwadashi)
14 August 2023- Adhik Maas Trayodashi (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Trayodashi)
15 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Chaturdashi (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi)
16 August 2023 – Adhik Maas Amavasya (Adhik Shravan Krishna Paksha Amavasya)
Adhik Masam in Coming Years… Next Adhik Month years, dates….