The Chhaumaasa songs span six successive months and are considered a branch of the Barahmasa (twelve-month) tradition. They are imbued with the mood of viyog—the longing and sorrow of separation.

Most Chhaumaasa songs are linked to the tales of Krishna and the gopis, yet they express the heroine's deepest emotions—her love, pain, and yearning for reunion. While many begin with Ashadh, some also start with Chaitra, Vaishakh, Sawan, or Agahan. Each month's imagery mirrors the changing emotions of the heart.