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Bhanu Mass(Adhika Masa): When the sun does not at all transit into any rashi but simply keeps moving within a rashi in a lunar month (i.e. before a new moon), then that lunar month will be named as adhik or "extra The Hindu calendar is a lunar calendar and is based on the cycles of the Moon.The lunar calendar adds one extra month every third year. This extra month is known by various names: Adhik Maas, Mal Maas, Purushottam Maas. This is the thirteenth month of the lunar calendar.
Just as there is the lunar year with the extra month (Adhik Maas), so is there a lunar year with a diminished or reduced month, with only eleven months in the year. ( Swami Jeewan Sahib )
The lunar year comprising of eleven months only is very rare indeed. It occurs once in 140 years or once in 190 years. But the extra month or Adhik Maas comes every third year. Adhik Maas adopts the name of the month that follows adhik Maas.
Whenever Sankranti does not fall within one month then Adhik Maas occurs. When there are two Sankrantis within one month then it becomes the lunar year with one reduced month (11 months in the year). Vasishtha Siddhanta mentions that Adhik Maas or the extra lunar month occurs after every 32 months, 16 days and 8 Ghadis (a Ghadi is a period of 24 minutes and 60 Ghadis equal 24 hours). It is a fact that the solar year is made up of 365 days and about 06 minutes and the lunar year is made up of 354 days. Thus both the solar and the lunar years have gaps of 11 days, 1 hour, 31 minutes and 12 seconds. As this gap increases each year, it approximates in three years to one month.
[ The moon takes about 27.3 days to make one complete orbit around the earth. The earth orbits around the sun once every 365.2422 days (= earth's orbital speed of 29.79 km per second). The earth and the moon in 27.3 days have moved as a system about 1/12 of the ways around the sun. This means that from one full moon to the next full moon, the moon must travel 2.2 extra days before it appears full. This is due to the curve of the earth's orbit around the sun. The moon is still making one complete orbit (circle) in 27.3 days. But to line up with the earth and sun to become a full moon again it takes 29.531 days. 29.531 day Lunar months = 354.372 days per lunar year. Thus we arrive at a difference of 10.87 days a year between a lunar year and a solar year of 365.2422 days per year.]
Religious significance of Adhik Maas (Mal Mass)in Martand Teerath Anantnag Kashmir: There is a beautiful story related to Sun (God) in Martand (Mattan) Anantnag Kashmir. Aditi was much perturbed about the future of her sons. She performed great penance for twelve years in order to please Vishnu. Sage Kashyapa became worried about her health so he advised Aditi to leave that austere penance. He told her "Toyah Marate Mandam" (You have killed the egg i.e. ova.Aditi got a still egg which was of gold. She then prayed to Brahma. Brahma Ji finally advised Aditi to throw the egg into the Satisar and gained prosperity because a very pious and sacred shrine in the three worlds will become known at that place by the name of "MARTAND" (Mritand) i.e. one begotten from the still egg. Twelve sons (twelve months) were given twelve different names and places to preside over.
A way out was made near Baramula for the water of Satisar to flow out. On one side of de-watered Satisar was found the still golden egg which had been thrown there. Lord Vishnu struck this egg with his chakra into two parts and great light came out of it which pervaded all round. Thus it was prayed as Sun God Martanda. From the two parts of the broken still egg sprang out two sacred springs; Vimla and Kamla; from the chakra flows the Chaka stream which destroys great sins and satisfies the dead by a pious dip in it and offerings of sacrifice. Vimal Kund, the stainless and pure gives salavation to the dead; and Kamal Kund gives solace to the living; water in the Vimal Kund bear Vishnu and Shiva and that of the Kamal Kund bear Brahma and Mahesh.
Adhik Maas (Mal Maas) is capable of washing away all the sins of people. During this month Shraadh, fasting etc are undertaken and garments etc. are distributed to poor people. One more beautiful story relates to how, in ancient times, through the observance of Mal Maas Vrat, king Nahush was released from all bondage. Devi Bhagavat says that charitable and meritorious acts, shraadh and fastings etc. carried out during this Mal Maas (Adhik Maas), inevitably produce results. Just as atomic sized contents within a seed produce a giant and long living big tree, so in the same manner even a little charitable act done during Mal Maas (Adhik Maas) produces big results. ( Ramkund in Poonch )
Martand Prohit Sabha had worked a lot in the past twenty one years,and build new temple and Dharmshala''s and are offering rooms at a very less price to the Shardalu''s who come to visit Martand Shrine.
Surya Saptami: The Other important event is Surya Saptami (Sri Sattam). During this event Sabha organises a Hawan on the name of Sun God.
According to the ancient scriptures, Saptami of Magh Shukla Paksha is known as Rath Arogaya Saptami. It is believed, from this very day, Lord Sun started giving light to the world. Hence, this Saptami is also celebrated as Surya Jayanti. In the year 2011, the fast of Surya Saptami was observed on 10th February. People who observe this fast with devotion in a systematic manner, they receive wealth, child and good health. Sun has a great significance in the present time. It gives nourishment to animals and vegetation.
Rath Arogya Saptami Importance:Fast of Lord Sun is observed by the devotes, on this day. Sun is considered as the Karaka of health. Nothing can happen in this world without the light of Sun. Sun rays contain Vitamin D. Body remains free from disease by worshipping Sun. People who worship Lord Sun, on this day, all there diseases get cured. As per the scientific vision, sun rays contain many miraculous properties. In the present era, sun’s medication is being used as a method of health healing by Ayurveda and nature treatments. People having Physical debility, osteoporosis, or joint pains should worship God Sun to get rid of such diseases. The rays of Sun contain elements which kill germs. Facing towards Sun and worshiping it, removes the skin disorders. Surya Vrat is considered significant for conceiving a son. Observing this fast with faith and devotion, increases love in the father and son relationship.
Rath Arogaya Saptami Fast Method: According to the ancient scriptures, Saptami of Magh Shukla Paksha is known as Rath Arogaya Saptami. It is believed, from this very day, Lord Sun started giving light to the world. Hence, this Saptami is also celebrated as Surya Jayanti. In the year 2011, the fast of Surya Saptami will be observed on 10th February. People who observe this fast with devotion in a systematic manner, they receive wealth, child and good health. Sun has a great significance in the present time. It gives nourishment to animals and vegetation. Rath Arogya Saptami Importance Fast of Lord Sun is observed by the devotes, on this day. Sun is considered as the Karaka of health. Nothing can happen in this world without the light of Sun. Sun rays contain Vitamin D. Body remains free from disease by worshipping Sun. People who worship Lord Sun, on this day, all there diseases get cured. As per the scientific vision, sun rays contain many miraculous properties. In the present era, sun’s medication is being used as a method of health healing by Ayurveda and nature treatments. People having Physical debility, osteoporosis, or joint pains should worship God Sun to get rid of such diseases. The rays of Sun contain elements which kill germs. Facing towards Sun and worshiping it, removes the skin disorders. Surya Vrat is considered significant for conceiving a son. Observing this fast with faith and devotion, increases love in the father and son relationship. Rath Arogaya Saptami Fast Method Person observing the fast should wake up early in the morning and complete his routine work. He should take bath in a nearby reservoir, river, canal etc., before sunrise. After this, the rising sun should be worshipped. Lamp of pure Ghee should be lighted. Lord Sun is to be worshiped with camphor, incense sticks, red flowers etc. On this day, handicap, poor and Brahmans should be given donations as per the capacity of an individual. Clothes, food and other usable items can be given as donation. On the Saptami of Magh Shukla Paksha, in order to observe the fast of Sun, person should wake up before the sunrise and take bath in running water. And, while bathing, he should keep seven leaves each of Badar tree and Arka plant .After bathing seven types of fruits, rice, Til, grass, sandalwood etc. should be mixed in water and offered to Lord Sun. Sun should be bowed with devotion and faith. The Surya mantra should be chanted with 108 times.
Other Events: The trust organises functions like cultural dance and bhajans (devotional songs) during the month of Bhanu Mass and even during some small events.