In Hindu calendar 2020 (2020-2021), there is an Adhik Maas (Mala Maas, Adhika Masam). It is an extra month according to lunar calendar.
2020-2021 Hindu calendar Year is known as Sharvari Nama Samvatsara. ‘Ashwayuja Masam’ (Ashwin Month) comes twice in 2020, one is Adhika Ashwayuja Masam (Pratham Ashwin Maas) and the another one is Nija Ashwayuja Masam (Dwitiya Ashwin Maas).
As per North Indian Hindi calendars, Adhika Masam begins on 18 September and ends on 16 October. In Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada & Telugu calendars also, Adhika Masam is from September 18 to 16 October.
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 2020
18 September 2020 – Adhik Maas Pratipada (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Pratipada)
19 September 2020 – Adhik Maas Dwitiya (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Dwitiya)
20 September 2020 – Adhik Maas Tritiya (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Tritiya)
21 September 2020 – Adhik Maas Chaturthi | Panchami (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Chaturthi | Panchami)
22 September 2020 – Adhik Maas Shashti (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Shashti)
23 September 2020 – Adhik Maas Saptami (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Saptami)
24 September 2020 – Adhik Maas Ashtami (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Ashtami)
25 September 2020 – Adhik Maas Navami (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Navami)
26 September 2020 – Adhik Maas Dashami (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Dashami)
27 September 2020 – Adhik Maas Ekadashi (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Ekadashi)
28 September 2020 – Adhik Maas Dwadashi (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Dwadashi)
29 September 2020 – Adhik Maas Trayodashi (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Trayodashi)
30 September 2020 – Adhik Maas Chaturthi (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi)
1 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Purnima (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Purnima)
2 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Pratipada (Adhik Ashwin Shukla Paksha Pratipada)
3 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Dwitiya (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Dwitiya)
4 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Tritiya (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Tritiya)
5 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Tritiya (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Tritiya)
6 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Chaturthi (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Chaturthi)
7 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Panchami (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Panchami)
8 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Shashti (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Shashti)
9 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Saptami (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Saptami)
10 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Ashtami (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Ashtami)
11 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Navami (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Navami)
12 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Dashami (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Dashami)
13 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Ekadashi (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Ekadashi)
14 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Dwadashi (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Dwadashi)
15 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Trayodashi | Chaturdashi (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Trayodashi | Chaturdashi)
16 October 2020 – Adhik Maas Amavasya (Adhik Ashwin Krishna Paksha Amavasya)
Adhik Maas in 2018
2018-2019 Hindu calendar Year is known as Vilambi Nama Samvatsara. ‘Jyeshta Masam’ comes twice in 2018, one is Adhika Jyeshta Masam and the another one is Nija Jyeshta Masam.
As per North Indian Hindi calendars, Adhika Masam begins on May 16 and ends on June 13. In Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada & Telugu calendars, Adhika Masam is from May 16 to June 13, 2018.