Molad based on a constant interval cycle that is widely but incorrectly regarded as an approximation of the time in Jerusalem of the mean lunar conjunction. Each "molad" moment occurs exactly 29 days 12 hours 44 minutes and 3+/ seconds (or, equivalently, 29 days 12 hours and 44+/ minutes) after the previous "molad" moment. This interval is numerically exactly the same as the length of the mean synodic month that was published by Ptolemy in the Almagest, who cited Hipparchus as its source. Although in the era of Hipparchus (2nd century BC) this interval was equal to the average time between
Adhik Maas "adhika"; "maal", "māla"; "maas", "maasa", "mās", "māsa", "mas", "mass". This is the thirteenth month of the lunar calendar. Adhik Maas adopts the name of the month that follows. Purushottam Maas is considered inauspicious and no activities like weddings or moving into a new house are conducted. It is a time for prayer, fasting, charity, and self-improvement. According to "Vasishtha Siddhantha" (the treatise of Vasishtha), Purushottam Maas or the extra lunar month occurs after every 32 months, 16 days and 8 "ghati". (A "ghati" is th of a sidereal day, approximately 24 minutes, so 8 "ghati" is about 3 hours.) In