A month of Year Round Utsavs ( festivals ) - Aadhik Maas. . . . .

During every month of the Indian calendar, due to some nakshatra or calculations, a date or a Tithi is either missed out or two dates come on one day which is called Kshay Tithi. These missed out Tithis and days get accumulated and every third year or approximately after every thirty months the total comes to 30 days thus forming one extra month which is called Aadhik Maas. Since Surya does not enter Sanskriti in this month, no auspicious occasion's take place in this month. Therefore it is also called Malmaas.

As the tale goes, Malmaas approached Lord Vishnu and complained that all the other days and months have been accepted by all other gods and goddesses but for me there is no one and no occasion's are celebrated in my month. Lord Vishnu took him to Golokdhaam and placed his request at the Shri Charan of Shri Thakorjee. Shri Thakorjee, The Purna Purshottam on hearing Malmaas's pleas accepted Malmaas as his own and gave this month His own name thus this month is also called Purushottam Maas.

According to a Vaishnav Pranalika these various utsavs and festivals are celebrated as the days and months go by in a year. The Purushottam Maas comes between the Indian months of Chaitra and Ashwin only. In this one month,all the year round festivals are celebrated daily with full enthusiasm, giving the vaishnavs a chance to perform Aadhik seva for the comforts and happiness of the Lord. At the same time this month is also auspicious for a lot of charity / daan which one should perform as per one's desire.

Shri Mahaprabhuji established Pushtimargiya Seva parampara or the Seva Pranalika for the benefit of Pushti Jeevas or in simple words, for Vaishnavas to perform Seva in ones own home. The essence of which is expressing and performing Seva through Premlakshana Bhakti.

Pushtibhakti is nothing but Premlakshana bhakti and "Seva Preet Vrajjanki, Janhit Jag Pragtayee" - teaches us to perform Seva through a Pranalika as a Vrajjan. The Pranalika is a year long guide for Vaishnavas.

Shri Gusaiji further elaborated the pranalika by seggregating and updating the Seva according to Seasons, Shringaars, Clothing and Apras keeping in mind the comforts of Shri Thakorje. Kirtans were added to keep Shriji entertained and a variety of Saamagris (recipes) were introduced enabling one to prepare the saamagri with his/her own hands and feed Shri Thakorjee. Bearing in mind that most of the Leelas were performed by Shri Thakorjeee in his Childhood, all the Baal leelas and all of the above were consolidated in a one year guide known as a Pranalika.

Most of the Manoraths are done keeping in mind that He has given maximum pleasures to Vrajjan performing innumerable Leelas which are now consolidated in Manoraths. Thus while organising, care should be taken of Seasons, Climate and the time of the day in which the Manorath is to be organised.The Bal Leela manoraths are only for Shri Thakorjee's benefit and it is not a show which is to be organised for the benefit of Vaishnavs/sevaks at their convenience. Time must be adhered to unless an Agya is obtained from the residing Goswami Balak who is after all the soul of the Manorath and it is with his permission that the Manoraths are organised.

Some of the important utsavs / manoraths / festivals of Aadhik Maas are as follows :-
Nand Mahotsav (no panchamrat snaan, only paalna and nadutsav) - Rath Yaatra - Thakurani Teej - Cheer Haran Leela / Makhan Chori Leela - Saanji - Vasant Panchmi - Kasumba Chath - Gopashtami / Gocharan Leela - Daan Ekadashi / Aankh Micholi - Sharad Poonam - Caak-no-Manorath - Phool Dol - Bhojan Thali - A variety of Hindolas / Palnaas and Phool Mandlis - Variety of Ghatas - Vraj Kamal - Giri Kandara - Vivahkhel - Hatadi / Deepmalika / Maansiganga and Summer season festivals - Bageecha - Pushpavitaan - Annakoot and many many more....................