17 May to 14 June 2026

Our modern calendar consists of twelve months of unequal length, ranging from 28 to 31 days.  The Vedic calendar also utilises 12 months, but these are generally 28 days long.  Therefore over time, a discrepancy arises as the months move out of alignment with the solar year.  In the same way that leap years are regularly added to our standard calendar and even leap seconds (which most people are unaware of), the Vedic calendar includes an additional month every 2-3 years. This extra month is called Adhika Masa or Purusottama Masa. There is spiritual significance to its existence alongside its usefulness in keeping alignment. Similar to Kartik (Damodara) month, spiritual performances in this month manifest special potency.  Special vows, fasting and acts of devotion bring extra merit and purification.

It is therefore a wonderful opportunity for the bhaktas – the devotees of Lord Krishna.  Here at Bhaktivedanta Manor, we invite you to participate in an entire month of special programmes.  Come and discover the special story behind the extra month and enjoy traditional bhajans.

Daily Schedule | Temple Room (from 17 May to 14 June 2026)
4:20pm – Arati
4:30pm – Offering of Candles (until 6:15pm), Singing of Chaurastakam and recitation of Chapter 15 of Bhagavad Gita
6:15pm – Reading of Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 15 (Purusottama Yoga – The Yoga of the Supreme Person)
7pm – Gaura Arati

Notes:
Candles will be provided free of charge to everyone. Please do not bring your own candles, lamps or ghee wicks for offering. One candle per person.

Donate: If you would like to donate food items for this month please see our list of items needed

The ‘Chaurastakam’ is a series 8 verses written by Bilvamangala Thakura. It is recommended to sing this bhajan daily during the Month of Purushottama. Read the words and listen below.

In the introduction to the Bhagavad-gita, Srila Prabhupada explains “In the Fifteenth Chapter it shall be seen that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Purushottama, is above both impersonal Brahman and the partial realisation of Paramatma.” – so in this month of Purushottama, we will be doing daily readings of the fifteenth chapter.