Purshottam Maas or Adhik Maas is a pious and auspicious month devoted to Lord Shri Hari Visnu. It is the extra month in the Hindu Calendar that is inserted to keep the Lunar and Solar calendar aligned, thus it is the thirteenth month of the lunar calendar. It is the time for prayer, fasting, charity and self improvement. It is considered as a sacred month by Hindus worldwide. Devotees go on pilgrimage and perform various types of religious rituals such as observing adhik maas vrat (fasting), spiritual reading, recitation of religious scriptures like Bhagvat Granth, Vishnu Sahsranaam, Shrimad Bhagvat Gita and perform various puja and havan. Donations of money, food, clothes in charity in this month is considered very auspicious. The result of religious work done in adhik maas increases manifold and it is believed that worshipping Lord Vishnu during this month nullifies one's sins.
Story of Adhik Maas:
After the conception of Adhik maas (13th month), he was criticised by everyone. This made Ahik maas very sad and he went to Vishnu Lok. Adhik Maas complained to Lord Vishnu that every month had a lord but he did not have one, so he was made fun of by name such as malmaas. No auspicious task were undertaken in Adhik Maas. All this disappointed him. To solve the problem Lord Vishnu conferrred his own name 'Purushottam' over Adhik Maas and blessed the month to be as good as him. From then onwards Adhik Maas is called as Purushottam Maas and is considered a holy and pious month. Dana (donations) and spiritual rituals are considered very sacred during this month.
Reasons of keeping observances and performing virtuous acts during 'Adhik Maas':
The sun moves through one star / Zodiac sign in every month, but during "Adhik Maas" it remains stationary, therefore there is no 'Surya-Sankrant' in Adhik Maas. It affects the movement of moon and sun and change is observed even in atmosphere, like during the period of eclipse. To avoid adverse effects of such changing unfavorable atmosphere on our health, it has been advised to follow different vowed religious observances and virtuous acts.
Hence, observing fast during Adhik Maas is advised. If one cannot keep fast for the whole month, atleast 4-5 days or even 1 day fast could be observed during this pious month. Vrat of Adhik Maas may be of complete fasting with only liquids or with fruits, or observing fast for the whole month and eating one vegetarian meal per day as per one's tolerance.
During Purshottam month,worshiping Lord Shri Krishna (Purshottama) and chanting his name is done to try to be in constant communion with Him. Satvik vegetarian meals are taken once in a day. If possible, one should not talk while eating which strenghthens one's inner strength.
Aparting from worshipping Lord Vishnu, following virtous acts are done during Adhik Maas.
Donations should be given to the needy. Donations of money, food, clothes in charity in this month is considered very auspicious. The result of religious work done in adhik maas increases manifold.
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Ganga Snan at Hari Ki Paudi - Haridwar
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It is believed that taking a holy bath in the river Ganga even one day, helps in elimination of all sins. One can add few drops of Ganga-Jal in bath water if taking dip in holy rivers is not possible. The above pic was taken during 2018 - Adhik Maas at Hari Ki Puadi - Haridwar after at holy dip in Ganga. We were very fortunate last time but this year owing to Covid-19 could not step out.
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Akhand Jyot (A ghee lamp lit continuously for the whole month)
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Donate 'Deep (lamp)'. If a ghee lamp is kept lighted all the time before God, it helps in financial gains (Lakshmi). Deep danam is also done in temples and holy rivers.
Worshiping Cow (Gou-Pujan) and feeding cow with green grass or food should be done daily.
Anarsa also known as Apoopa are made specially during the adhik Maas and are donated with Ghee deepak as dana in brass plates and is called Apoopa Dana. Anarsa for dana are made in the number 33. Apart from needy and Brahmins, apoopa dana is done to Jamata (Son-In-Law).
Adhik Maas 2020 :This year Adhik Ashwin (extra month after ashwin) started from 18th September and will last until 16th October 2020. This is the first year i have decided to observe full month fast of Purushottam Maas. I take fruits and milk once during the day time (afternoon) as falahar and eat one satvik vegetarian meal in the evening. Today is Ekadashi, the 11th day after commencement of my fasting. I feel so light yet energetic. My body and soul is getting detoxed, it has helped me to learn to have control over my desires. Moreover with the daily chanting of Vishnu Shashranaam and other spiritual mantras and shlokas, there is so much positivity in my house.
Rules for Adik Maas Fasting:
For all those who are observing fast during this pious month of adhik Maas, i have compiled some easy fasting recipes in this post. Consumption of many food items are not allowed during the Purshottam month for those who are observing fast. The details are provided in the Adhik maas mahatmya. One may follow the rules one's family is abiding too. I am listing few pointers to be noted.
- Fresh fruits , dry fruits and dairy items like milk, curd, ghee, buttermilk and butter can be consumed while fasting.
- For those who fast daily during the entire month , one satvik meal (onion-garlic free) is allowed during the day, mostly in the evening. I am listing the food item that is not allowed during this meal. Oil - the whole meal is made in ghee. Oil is not allowed. No deep fried food in oil allowed. Sea salt is also not allowed. Replace it with rock salt (sendha namak). Vegetables like radish, carrot, drumstick, brinjal, onion, garlic are not allowed. Rest all vegetables can be consumed. Mustard seeds, black gram, red lentil, black eyed bean are not allowed. Rest all the lentils, and grains are allowed. Note: this information is provided in the Adhik Maas Mahatmya. You may adhere or follow the rules as per your family customs.
Here is a compilation of some of the sweets, that can be easily prepared at home and serve both as Naivedhyam (offering) to the Deity and also as fasting food (Vrat ka Khana).
1.
Dates and Nuts Ladoo : Both dates and nuts provide warmth to the body and hence these ladoos serve as a delicious , healthy and nutritious fasting food. Dates serve as a natural sweetener , hence no additional sugar is added to this ladoos making it a guilt free treat.
2.
Badam Katli : A delicate, soft-textured almond fudge which can easily made at home and serves both as a Naivedhyam to the deity and also as a fasting food.
3.
Instant Kalakand : A creamy delicacy made out of solidified sweetened milk and cottage cheese.
4.
Bengali Sandesh : A melt-in-mouth Cottage Cheese delicacy from the Bengali Cuisine.
5.
Rajgira Ladoo : A healthy and delicious sweet ball made from puffed amaranth seeds and jaggery.
7.
Sesame seeds Jaggery Ladoo: Crunchy nutty delectable sesame seeds jaggery ladoos provide warmth and energy and keep you full while you fast.
8.
Nariyal Burfi: A delectable fresh coconut fudge with good shelf life on refrigeration.
9.
Kesar Rabdi : A creamy rich delectable delight made from sweetened evaporated milk and saffron.
11.
Coconut Stuffed Banana : Bharva kela is a delicious snack in which ripe bananas are stuffed with coconut, jaggery, and nuts filling and then roasted in ghee.
12.
Rasgulla : Spongy, syrupy dessert made from cheena (Cottage Cheese)
13.
Anjeer Roll : Rolls made from dried figs, dates and nuts serve as a delectable snack whether fasting or not.
14.
Lauki Ki Kheer : This delectable bottle gourd pudding is mildly flavored with green cardamom and nutmeg.
15.
Apple Rabadi : A very delicious dessert made from evaporated milk and apple.
16.
Basundi : A popular Maharashtrian dessert made by reducing milk which is later sweetned and flavored with cardamom and nutmeg.
17.
Gulkand Paneer Kheer : A flavorful sweet milk pudding made with paneer (cottage cheese) and dry fruits in which gulkand (rose petal jam) acts both as a sweetner and flavoarant)
18.
Fig Banana Smoothie : A healthy filling and delicious beverage made from dried figs, almonds, walnuts, bananas, curd and milk.
20.
Masala Doodh : A delicious sweet condensed milk enriched with nuts and flavored with spices like Saffron, Nutmeg and green Cardamom.
22.
Mishti Doi : a fermented sweet yogurt from Bengali Cuisine.
23.
Sabudana Kheer : A delicious creamy sago pudding which is sweetned with caramel.
24.
Til Ki Burfi : Made using sesame seeds, peanuts and jaggery, this fudge has a lovely nutty taste.
25.
Lauki Barfi : Melt-in-Mouth Gulkand flavored bottle gourd fudge.
26.
Strawberry Shrikhand : A delectable creamy yogurt based dessrt with the goodness of fresh Strawberries.
27.
Homemade Khoya : Khoya also known as mava is coagulated milksolids. it forms the base for variety of Indian sweets like Gulab Jamun, Pedha, Barfi , halwa etc.
28.
Panchamrut : Panchamrut is a holy Indian drink, a mixture of 5 ingredients, milk, sugar, ghee, curd and honey. Panchamrut is used for abhishekam (bathing deity), as naivedhyam (offering to God) and distributed among devotees after Puja (worship) as Prasadam (blessed food). It also serves as a fasting food (vrat ka Khana).
29.
Rajgira Sheera : Healthy and delectable dessert using Amaranth flour and jaggery.
30.
Coconut Khoya Burfi : a delicious melt-in-mouth fudge made using khoya (milk solids), desiccated coconut, milk, ghee and sugar.
Following are some savory fasting recipes. Make sure you replace sea salt/ table salt with rock salt.
34.
Falahari Papdi Pizza : a lip-smacking fasting food where baked water chest-nut crackers are topped with homemade falahari pizza sauce, grated cottage cheese and veggies.
35.
Makhana Raita : delicious indisn side dish made with puffed lotus seeds and yogurt.
36.
Sabudana Khichdi : is a delicious stir-fry made with soaked sago pearls, crushed peanut, boiled potato chunks and spices.
37.
Kache Kele Ki Tikki : Raw banana cutlets are delicious and nutritious snack whether fasting or not.
40.
Khamang Kakdi : A very aromatic and flavorful cucumber salad.
I hope a few of you would love to try out some of these recipes and may find this post helpful. If you do so, feel free to share your feedback with us in the form of likes and comments in the comment section below this post. All your suggestions are also more than welcome. If you like my work and feel it is worth following, do hit the follow button at the top right corner of this blog. Your appreciation means a lot to me. For more recipes and new updates follow us on social media.
Wishing a very happy and fruitful Adhik Maas to all those who celebrate it. May Lord Vishnu bless us all with prosperity and good health !
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