|
Malayalam calendar also known as ‘Malayalam Era’ or ‘Kollavarsham’ is a solar sideral calendar used in the state of Kerala in South India. The history of Malayalam calendar dates back to 825 AD when almost all the regions in Kerala followed ‘Kali abda’ before the acceptance of ‘Kollavarsham’.
The start of the Malayalam calendar has been attributed to many origins. Some believe that the era was started by Nestorian merchants who settled in KorukeNi kollam, near Kollam. The other popular belief is that, it coordinated with consecration of a Shiva temple during the reign of Udaya Marthanda Varma. Its also believed that Kollavarsham was started by Sankaracharya.
Significance of Malayalam calendar lies in the fact that it is based on astronomical observations and calculations. According to the traditional Malayalam calendar, it is the 1st day of Malayalam month Medam, that marks the beginning of the new year.Whereas some observe Onam on the beginning of the first month of Malayalam calendar known as the month of Chingam. This month corresponds to the August-September in Gregorian Calendar and Bhadrapada or Bhadon in Indian Calendar. The different months in the Malayalam calendar are named according to the constellations in which the Sun is seen during the period. The months are named accordingly as --- Chingam, Kanni, Thulam, Vrushichikam, Dhanu, Makaram, KumBham, Menam, Medam, Edavam, Midhunam and ends with Karkidakam.
|
