When the intercalary month falls within the lunar month of
Ashadh, it is observed as a religious observance.
The intercalary month is a lunar month that is placed into
the calendar every thirty months or so to keep the solar and lunar calendars in
sync.
It starts after any "normal" lunar month in which
the sun has not yet shifted into the next zodiac sign, and adopts the name of
the previous month.
The intercalary month is regarded unlucky since it has an
atypical phenomenon, and the most popular vernacular word for it is malamasa,
which means "impure month." When the additional month happens in the
lunar month of Ashadh, however, worshippers of the deity Vishnu (bhakta) see it
as an extremely sacred period devoted to Vishnu in his avatar as Purushottama
("best of men"), and treat it as such.
This month, Vaishnavas study holy scriptures, sing Vishnu's
glorious names, and engage in various forms of devotion.
The month of Ashadh, as well as its intercalary month, are
particularly significant for the Jagannath temple in Puri, whose presiding god,
Jagannath, is regarded a form of Krishna, and hence a manifestation of Vishnu.
Every year, the Rath Yatra event is held in Puri during the
month of Ashadh, and in years when the intercalary month occurs in Ashadh,
fresh representations of Jagannath and his siblings are produced.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.
