Masam is the lunar month — the panchanga uses the chandramana (lunar) calendar where a month runs from one new moon to the next (Amanta system, used in South India) or from one full moon to the next (Purnimanta, used in North India). RVA's calculator uses the Amanta convention.
The 12 lunar months
| Month | Western (approx) | Auspicious for |
|---|---|---|
| Chaitra | Mar–Apr | Marriage, housewarming, new year starts |
| Vaisakha | Apr–May | Marriage, housewarming — best general muhurta |
| Jyeshtha | May–Jun | Vehicle purchase, education start |
| Ashadha | Jun–Jul | Limited auspicious (Chaturmasa starts Devshayani) |
| Shravana | Jul–Aug | Religious work; avoid marriage (Chaturmasa) |
| Bhadrapada | Aug–Sep | Religious work only (Chaturmasa) |
| Ashvina | Sep–Oct | Limited (Pitru paksha + Navaratri) |
| Kartika | Oct–Nov | Resumes auspicious work after Devuttana |
| Margashirsha | Nov–Dec | Marriage, housewarming — second-best |
| Pausha | Dec–Jan | Avoid — Dhanurmasa, no marriages |
| Magha | Jan–Feb | Marriage, housewarming — good |
| Phalguna | Feb–Mar | Marriage, housewarming — good |
Months to avoid for marriage
Two month-spans are blocked off in classical Hindu practice:
- Chaturmasa (Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi → Kartika Shukla Ekadashi) — roughly Ashadha through Kartika. Vishnu is said to be in cosmic sleep; no marriages, no housewarming.
- Dhanurmasa / Shunya Masa — when the Sun is in Sagittarius (roughly mid-December through mid-January) and again when in Pisces (mid-March through mid-April). No marriages.
The two best months for marriage are Vaisakha and Margashirsha, followed by Magha and Phalguna.
How the filter works
By default all 12 months are allowed. For marriage / housewarming, uncheck Ashadha, Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashvina (Chaturmasa) and Pausha (Dhanurmasa). The remaining 7 months are auspicious for the major events.