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The Malayalam calendar, known as Kollavarsham (Kolla Era), is a solar sidereal calendar used exclusively in Kerala by approximately 40 million Malayalam speakers. Like the Tamil calendar, months are defined by the Sun's transit through the twelve Rashis — making Malayalam month dates nearly fixed relative to the Gregorian calendar. The Kolla Era is believed to have begun in 825 CE, making 2026 CE correspond to year 1201–1202 ME (Malayalam Era). The calendar governs the agricultural and festival cycle of Kerala, from the grand Onam harvest festival to the monsoon-season Karkidakam Ramayana reading tradition.
Malayalam months begin when the Sun enters each new Rashi (zodiac sign). The order starts from Chingam (Simha/Leo) rather than Mesha, as the Kerala agricultural year traditionally begins with the post-monsoon harvest season. Month lengths vary from 29 to 32 days depending on the Sun's speed through each sign.
| # | Month | Malayalam | Rashi (Zodiac) | Gregorian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chingam | ചിങ്ങം | Simha (Leo) | Aug 17 – Sep 16 |
| 2 | Kanni | കന്നി | Kanya (Virgo) | Sep 17 – Oct 17 |
| 3 | Thulam | തുലാം | Tula (Libra) | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| 4 | Vrischikam | വൃശ്ചികം | Vrischika (Scorpio) | Nov 16 – Dec 15 |
| 5 | Dhanu | ധനു | Dhanus (Sagittarius) | Dec 16 – Jan 13 |
| 6 | Makaram | മകരം | Makara (Capricorn) | Jan 14 – Feb 12 |
| 7 | Kumbham | കുംഭം | Kumbha (Aquarius) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| 8 | Meenam | മീനം | Meena (Pisces) | Mar 14 – Apr 13 |
| 9 | Medam | മേടം | Mesha (Aries) | Apr 14 – May 14 |
| 10 | Edavam | ഇടവം | Vrishabha (Taurus) | May 15 – Jun 14 |
| 11 | Midhunam | മിഥുനം | Mithuna (Gemini) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| 12 | Karkidakam | കർക്കടകം | Kataka (Cancer) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
Onam (10-day harvest festival — Atham to Thiruvonam; Pookalam, Sadya, Vallam Kali snake boat races)
Vishu (Malayalam New Year, Medam 1 — Vishukkani, Vishukkaineettam, feast)
Thrissur Pooram (Vrischikam — the largest temple festival in Kerala, featuring caparisoned elephants and fireworks at Vadakkunnathan temple)
Thiruvathira (Dhanu — women's festival honouring Shiva and Parvati; Thiruvathira Kali dance performed overnight)
Shivaratri (Kumbham — all-night vigil at Shiva temples across Kerala)
Karkidaka Ramayana (entire month — daily recitation of Adhyatma Ramayana at homes and temples; considered spiritually protective during the difficult monsoon month)
Vishu falls on Medam 1 (the Sun's entry into Mesha/Aries), typically April 14–15 — the same astronomical event as Tamil Puthandu and Sinhala/Tamil New Year in Sri Lanka. The defining tradition is the "Vishukkani" — an auspicious arrangement viewed first thing upon waking. The Kani (auspicious sight) is prepared the night before: a large brass bell-metal uruli (vessel) is filled with Kani Konna flowers (golden shower blossoms of Cassia fistula), raw rice, betel leaves, lemon, cucumber, a jackfruit section, a coconut, golden-coloured cloth, coins, a lit lamp, a mirror, and a Vishnu idol. On waking, elders cover their eyes and are led to view the Kani first — the belief being that what you see first on Vishu determines your fortune for the year. "Vishukkaineettam" (gift-giving of money, especially coins and new notes from elders to children) follows, and the day includes fireworks, new clothes (Puthukodi), and a grand feast (Sadya).
Onam is the most celebrated festival in Kerala, occurring in Chingam (August–September) during the Thiruvonam nakshatra. Lasting 10 days (Atham to Thiruvonam), it commemorates the mythical return of the benevolent Asura king Mahabali from the netherworld to visit his beloved subjects. The festival is celebrated with the Pookalam (flower carpet arranged in intricate concentric patterns using fresh flowers), the Onam Sadya (a vegetarian feast of 26 dishes served on banana leaves — including Avial, Sambar, Rasam, Parippu Curry, Olan, Erissery, Kaalan, Pachadi, Pickles, Payasam, and more), Vallam Kali (snake boat races on rivers and backwaters — the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most famous), Pulikali (tiger dance procession), and Thiruvathira Kali dance. Onam is a secular festival celebrated by Keralites of all religions.
The Kollavarsham is purely solar — months track the Sun's zodiacal transit, not the Moon. This means no intercalary months are needed (unlike the lunisolar North Indian system), and dates remain consistent year to year. However, the Malayalam calendar does incorporate lunar elements (Tithi, Nakshatra) for determining religious festival timings, making it a hybrid in practice. The calendar year begins in Chingam (Leo) rather than Mesha (Aries), which distinguishes it from the Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada new years. Karkidakam (Cancer, mid-July to mid-August) is considered an inauspicious month — the peak monsoon period when illness is common, weddings are avoided, and the tradition of reading the Ramayana (Karkidaka Ramayana) at home and in temples is observed throughout the month.