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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
] (10th century CE), the earliest record to mention the Kollam Era.]] ] (10th century CE), the earliest record to mention the Kollam Era]]
The '''Malayalam Calendar''', or the '''Kollam Era''' ({{lang-ml|കൊല്ലവർഷം|Kollavaṟṣaṁ}}), is a ] ] calendar used in ]. The origin of the calendar has been dated to 825 CE, commemorating the establishment of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.new1.dli.ernet.in/data1/upload/insa/INSA_1/20005b5f_93.pdf |title=Kollam Era |publisher=Indian Journal History of Science |access-date=30 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527163650/http://www.new1.dli.ernet.in/data1/upload/insa/INSA_1/20005b5f_93.pdf |archive-date=27 May 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Time measurement and calendar construction|author=Broughton Richmond|year=1956|pages=218|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gUlmAAAAMAAJ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=History of Kerala|author=R. Leela Devi|publisher=Vidyarthi Mithram Press & Book Depot|year=1986|pages=408|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pXpuAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> The '''Malayalam Calendar''', or the '''Kollam Era''' ({{langx|ml|കൊല്ലവർഷം|Kollavaṟṣaṁ}}), is a ] ] calendar used in ]. The origin of the calendar has been dated to 825&nbsp;CE, commemorating the establishment of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.new1.dli.ernet.in/data1/upload/insa/INSA_1/20005b5f_93.pdf |title=Kollam Era |publisher=Indian Journal History of Science |access-date=30 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527163650/http://www.new1.dli.ernet.in/data1/upload/insa/INSA_1/20005b5f_93.pdf |archive-date=27 May 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Time measurement and calendar construction|author=Broughton Richmond|year=1956|pages=218|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gUlmAAAAMAAJ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=History of Kerala|author=R. Leela Devi|publisher=Vidyarthi Mithram Press & Book Depot|year=1986|pages=408|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pXpuAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>


There are many theories regarding the origin of the era, but according to recent scholarship, it commemorated the foundation of ] following the liberation of the Kingdom of ] from the ] rule by or with the assistance of the ] at ].<ref>Noburu Karashmia (ed.), ''A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations.'' New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2014. 89.</ref> There are many theories regarding the origin of the era, but according to recent scholarship, it commemorated the foundation of ] by Maruwan Sapir Iso, who was the leader of Persian Christian Settlers and trading guilds like ] following the liberation of the Kingdom of ] from the ] rule by or with the assistance of the ] at ].<ref>Noburu Karashmia (ed.), ''A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations.'' New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2014. 89.</ref><ref> Land, 'Brief History of the Syrians of Malabar'. Anedocta Syriaca, I, pp. 27.</ref> The ] were grants and privileges given to the trading guilds involved in the establishment of Kollam by ].<ref>Sthanu Ravi Varma
Cereti, C. G. (2009). "The Pahlavi Signatures on the Quilon Copper Plates". In Sundermann, W.; Hintze, A.; de Blois, F. (eds.). Exegisti Monumenta: Festschrift in Honour of Nicholas Sims-Williams. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz. ISBN 978-3-447-05937-4.</ref>


Kollam was the capital of Venadu and an important port town of the Chera Kingdom in that period. Kollam Aandu was adapted in the entire Chera Kingdom (the contemporary states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala), the majority of which is now in Kerala. In ]-speaking Kerala, it is now called the Malayalam Era or 'Kollavarsham’ (Kollam Thontri Aandu). The earliest available record mentioning the Kollam Era is a royal decree by Sri Vallavan Goda, the King of Venadu, dated to c. 973 CE (Kollam Era 149). In the inscription, the phrase "Kollam Thontri Aandu" is employed.<ref name=":0" /> Another era, referred to as "Kollam Aḻintha Aandu", counting from 1097 CE, was reckoned by the Cholas for some time. It is tentatively calculated that the Chola overlords captured the ] in 1097 CE.<ref name=":0">Narayanan, M. G. S. ''Perumāḷs of Kerala.'' Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 74-76, 143.</ref> Kollam was the capital of Venadu and an important port town of the Chera Kingdom in that period. Kollam Aandu was adapted in the entire Chera Kingdom (the contemporary states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala), the majority of which is now in Kerala. In ]-speaking Kerala, it is now called the Malayalam Era or 'Kollavarsham’ (Kollam Thontri Aandu). The earliest available record mentioning the Kollam Era is a royal decree by Sri Vallavan Goda, the King of Venadu, dated to {{Circa|973 CE}} (Kollam Era 149). In the inscription, the phrase "Kollam Thontri Aandu" is employed.<ref name=":0" /> Another era, referred to as "Kollam Aḻintha Aandu", counting from 1097&nbsp;CE, was reckoned by the Cholas for some time. It is tentatively calculated that the Chola overlords captured the ] in 1097&nbsp;CE.<ref name=":0">{{cite book|last=Narayanan|first= M. G. S.|title= Perumāḷs of Kerala|location= Thrissur (Kerala)|publisher=CosmoBooks|year=2013|pages=74–76, 143}}</ref>


== History == == History ==
The origin of the Kollam Era has been dated to 825 CE, when the great convention in Kollam was held at the behest of King Kulashekharan. Kollam was an important town in that period, and the Malayalam Era is called 'Kollavarsham'. The origin of the Kollam Era has been dated to 825&nbsp;CE, when the great convention in Kollam was held at the behest of King Kulashekharan. Kollam was an important town in that period, and the Malayalam Era is called 'Kollavarsham'.


There are multiple conflicting accounts regarding the origins of the Malayalam calendar, some of which are mentioned below: There are multiple conflicting accounts regarding the origins of the Malayalam calendar, some of which are mentioned below:


⚫ *According to legend, Kollam era is attributed to the legend of the hero ], an avatar (incarnation) of the god ]. It is sometimes divided into cycles of 1,000 years reckoned from 1176&nbsp;BCE. Thus, 825&nbsp;CE would have been the first year of the era's third millennium.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chronology|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/chronology#ref523199}}</ref>
*The Kollam Era commemorates the establishment of the Kollam city by the Persian Christian merchant magnate ] who settled in ''Kurakkeni Kollam'', near the present day Kollam Thangassery. 'Kollam Tharisapalli Copper Plates', the royal grant issued to Maruvan Sapir Isho, gives information about the establishment of Kollam.<ref name='ASurveyOfKeralaHistory-104'>{{cite book|title=A Survey Of Kerala History|orig-year=1967|year=2007|publisher=DC Books, Kottayam|isbn=978-81-264-1578-6|pages=104–110|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FVsw35oEBv4C&q=Nestorian+kollam+era&pg=PA104|author=A. Sreedhara Menon|author-link=A. Sreedhara Menon|access-date=7 August 2013|chapter=CHAPTER VIII - THE KOLLAM ERA}}</ref><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121073245/http://www.kerala.gov.in/statistical/panchayat_statistics2001/klm_shis.htm |date=2007-11-21 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Arrival of Mar Sabrisho and Mar Piruz, Earliest Reports, Copper Plates, Katheeshangal,Christians & Churches at Quilon |url=https://www.nasrani.net/amp/2007/02/16/arrival-of-mar-sabrisho-and-mar-piruz/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=www.nasrani.net}}</ref>
⚫ *The news of the physical disappearance of Sri ] in 820&nbsp;CE at Kedarnath reached Kerala only a few years later. It is believed that Kerala began the Malayalam era, also called the Kollam era, in 825&nbsp;CE in his memory.<ref>. Dir. Rajesh Krishnan, K. Anand, and S. Thyagarajan. Sri Shankara Advaita Research Center, Sringeri, 31 May 2010. DVD.</ref><ref>Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaYfoghV-n8|title=Kalady: The Triumph of Faith Over Time (Rediscovery of Sri Adi Shankaracharya's Birth Place)|last=sharadapeetham|date=25 April 2012|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>K. V. Sarma, , Indian Journal of History of Science, 31(1), 1996, pp. 93-100</ref>
⚫ *According to legend, Kollam era is attributed to the legend of the hero ], an avatar (incarnation) of the god ]. It is sometimes divided into cycles of 1,000 years reckoned from 1176 BCE. Thus, 825 CE would have been the first year of the era's third millennium.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chronology|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/chronology#ref523199}}</ref>
⚫ *The news of the physical disappearance of Sri ] in 820 CE at Kedarnath reached Kerala only a few years later. It is believed that Kerala began the Malayalam era, also called the Kollam era, in 825 CE in his memory.<ref>. Dir. Rajesh Krishnan, K. Anand, and S. Thyagarajan. Sri Shankara Advaita Research Center, Sringeri, 31 May 2010. DVD.</ref><ref>Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaYfoghV-n8|title=Kalady: The Triumph of Faith Over Time (Rediscovery of Sri Adi Shankaracharya's Birth Place)|last=sharadapeetham|date=25 April 2012|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>K. V. Sarma, , Indian Journal of History of Science, 31(1), 1996, pp. 93-100</ref>
*According to ], Kollavarsham started as part of erecting a new Shiva Temple in Kollam and because of the strictly local and religious background, the other regions did not follow this system at first. Once Kollam port emerged as an important trade center, however, the other countries also started to follow the new system of calendar. This theory backs the remarks of ] as well.<ref name='ASurveyOfKeralaHistory-104'>{{cite book|title=A Survey Of Kerala History|orig-year=1967|year=2007|publisher=DC Books, Kottayam|isbn=978-81-264-1578-6|pages=104–110|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FVsw35oEBv4C&q=Nestorian+kollam+era&pg=PA104|author=A. Sreedhara Menon|author-link=A. Sreedhara Menon|access-date=7 August 2013|chapter=CHAPTER VIII - THE KOLLAM ERA}}</ref><ref name="kerala.gov.in-ക">{{cite web|title=Kollam - Short History|url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/statistical/panchayat_statistics2001/klm_shis.htm|work=Statistical Data|publisher=kerala.gov.in|access-date=8 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121073245/http://www.kerala.gov.in/statistical/panchayat_statistics2001/klm_shis.htm|archive-date=2007-11-21 <!-- 07:32:45 --> |format=Short History}}</ref> *According to ], Kollavarsham started as part of erecting a new Shiva Temple in Kollam and because of the strictly local and religious background, the other regions did not follow this system at first. Once Kollam port emerged as an important trade center, however, the other countries also started to follow the new system of calendar. This theory backs the remarks of ] as well.<ref name='ASurveyOfKeralaHistory-104'>{{cite book|title=A Survey Of Kerala History|orig-year=1967|year=2007|publisher=DC Books, Kottayam|isbn=978-81-264-1578-6|pages=104–110|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FVsw35oEBv4C&q=Nestorian+kollam+era&pg=PA104|author=A. Sreedhara Menon|author-link=A. Sreedhara Menon|access-date=7 August 2013|chapter=CHAPTER VIII - THE KOLLAM ERA}}</ref><ref name="kerala.gov.in-ക">{{cite web|title=Kollam - Short History|url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/statistical/panchayat_statistics2001/klm_shis.htm|work=Statistical Data|publisher=kerala.gov.in|access-date=8 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121073245/http://www.kerala.gov.in/statistical/panchayat_statistics2001/klm_shis.htm|archive-date=2007-11-21 <!-- 07:32:45 --> |format=Short History}}</ref>
*It is also believed that the era started as part of erection of the ], family temple of ] located at ] or Kil-perur. ] is a place located near ], which is used as prefix along with name of ] and ] monarchs and is believed to be the maternal home of ]. *It is also believed that the era started as part of erection of the ], family temple of ] located at ] or Kil-perur. ] is a place located near ], which is used as prefix along with name of ] and ] monarchs and is believed to be the maternal home of ].


==Months== ==Months==
Makaram month (middle of January) was the starting of the Kollam Aandu (year). It was similar to the other calendars followed in the ] and Chola Kingdoms. The Chera kingdom had two harvests, one in Makaram and the other in Kanni, so the year started in Makaram, the harvesting month. Later, in the 20th century, after Venadu (the ]) joined the ], the Calendar was aligned with that of the Sanskrit Calendar to have the Year Starting in Medam (April middle).

The Malayalam months and the Sanskritic Sauramāsa (solar month) are almost the same, raising many doubts that which came first. If you see, Chingam is a month in Kollam Era. Sanskrit also has the solar month, the ], and so on. This is unlike the case in Tulu calendar which follow the names of lunar months. The following are the months of the astronomical Malayalam calendar:


{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" {| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
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== Significant dates == == Significant dates ==
*] (1st ''Medam''): Malayali New Year (traditional) *] (1st ''Medam''): Malayali New Year (traditional)
*] (''Thulam''): Festival of Lights
*] *]
*]: Malayali New Year (as per the Kollam Era calendar) *]: Malayali New Year (as per the Kollam Era calendar)


] ({{lang|ml|വിഷു}}), celebrated on the first day of ''Medam'', and '']'' ({{lang|ml|ഓണം}}), celebrated on the star Thiruvonam {{IPA-ml|t̪iruʋoːɳəm|}} in the month of ''Chingam'', are two of the major festivals. The first day of ''Chingam'' is celebrated as the ], replacing Vishu ({{lang|ml|വിഷു}}), which was considered the beginning of a year until 825 CE. Vishu is still celebrated as the traditional Malayali New Year, as it is astronomically significant, 'Medam' being the first among the 12 rashis (the ] signs corresponding to the 12 months of a solar year).{{fact|date=July 2022}} ] ({{lang|ml|വിഷു}}), celebrated on the first day of ''Medam'', '']'' ({{lang|ml|ഓണം}}), celebrated on the star Thiruvonam {{IPA-ml|t̪iruʋoːɳəm|}} on the first day of ''Chingam'', and ] ({{lang|ml|ദീപാവലി}}), celebrated on the first day of ''Thulam'', are three of the major festivals. The first day of ''Chingam'' is celebrated as the ], replacing Vishu ({{lang|ml|വിഷു}}), which was considered the beginning of a year until 825&nbsp;CE. Vishu is still celebrated as the traditional Malayali New Year, as it is astronomically significant, 'Medam' being the first among the 12 rashis (the ] signs corresponding to the 12 months of a solar year).{{fact|date=July 2022}}. Deepavali is traditionally celebrated during Thulam which is the months of October and November.


The ] festival is celebrated in the ] Temple at ] on the first day of ''Makaram'' month. This marks the grand finale of the two-month period to the Sabarimala pilgrimage. The 1st of ''Makaram'' marks the winter Solstice (Uttarayanam) and the 1st of ''Karkaṭakam'' marks the summer solstice (Dakshinayanam) according to the Malayalam calendar (according to the astronomical calendar, the summer solstice is on 21 June, and the winter solstice on 21 December).{{fact|date=July 2022}} The ] festival is celebrated in the ] Temple at ] on the first day of ''Makaram'' month. This marks the grand finale of the two-month period to the Sabarimala pilgrimage. The 1st of ''Makaram'' marks the winter Solstice (Uttarayanam) and the 1st of ''Karkaṭakam'' marks the summer solstice (Dakshinayanam) according to the Malayalam calendar (according to the astronomical calendar, the summer solstice is on 21 June, and the winter solstice on 21 December).{{fact|date=July 2022}}
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Many events in Kerala are related to the dates in the Malayalam calendar. Many events in Kerala are related to the dates in the Malayalam calendar.


The agricultural activities of Kerala are centred on the seasons. The southwest ] which starts around 1 June is known as ''Etavappathi'', meaning mid of month ''Etavam''. The northeast monsoon which starts during mid October is called ''thulavarsham'' (rain in the month of ''thulam''). The two harvests of paddy are called ''Kannikkoythu'' and ''Makarakkoythu'' (harvests in the months ''kanni'' and ''makaram'') respectively.{{fact|date=July 2022}} The agricultural activities of Kerala are centred on the seasons. The southwest ] which starts around 1 June is known as ''Edavappathi'', meaning mid of month ''Edavam''. The northeast monsoon which starts during mid October is called ''thulavarsham'' (rain in the month of ''thulam''). The two harvests of paddy are called ''Kannikkoythu'' and ''Makarakkoythu'' (harvests in the months ''kanni'' and ''makaram'') respectively.{{fact|date=July 2022}}


== See also == == See also ==
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* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ], in Kerala in 1924 CE, or 1099 ME * ], in Kerala in 1924&nbsp;CE, or 1099 ME


== References == == References ==
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== External links == == External links ==
{{commons category|Malayalam calendar}} {{commons category|Malayalam calendar}}
⚫ {{Portal bar|India}}
* *
*
* *
* *
* *
⚫ {{Portal bar|India}}{{calendars}}

{{calendars}}
{{Kollam}} {{Kollam}}


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] ]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 07:58, 1 January 2025

Sidereal solar calendar used by the Malayali people "Midhunam" redirects here. For the Malayalam film, see Mithunam (1993 film). For the Telugu film, see Mithunam (2012 film).

Mampalli copper plate (10th century CE), the earliest record to mention the Kollam Era

The Malayalam Calendar, or the Kollam Era (Malayalam: കൊല്ലവർഷം, romanized: Kollavaṟṣaṁ), is a sidereal solar calendar used in Kerala. The origin of the calendar has been dated to 825 CE, commemorating the establishment of Kollam.

There are many theories regarding the origin of the era, but according to recent scholarship, it commemorated the foundation of Kollam by Maruwan Sapir Iso, who was the leader of Persian Christian Settlers and trading guilds like Anjuvannam following the liberation of the Kingdom of Venad from the Chola rule by or with the assistance of the Chera emperor at Kodungallur. The Quilon Syrian copper plates were grants and privileges given to the trading guilds involved in the establishment of Kollam by Sthanu Ravi Varma.

Kollam was the capital of Venadu and an important port town of the Chera Kingdom in that period. Kollam Aandu was adapted in the entire Chera Kingdom (the contemporary states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala), the majority of which is now in Kerala. In Malayalam-speaking Kerala, it is now called the Malayalam Era or 'Kollavarsham’ (Kollam Thontri Aandu). The earliest available record mentioning the Kollam Era is a royal decree by Sri Vallavan Goda, the King of Venadu, dated to c. 973 CE (Kollam Era 149). In the inscription, the phrase "Kollam Thontri Aandu" is employed. Another era, referred to as "Kollam Aḻintha Aandu", counting from 1097 CE, was reckoned by the Cholas for some time. It is tentatively calculated that the Chola overlords captured the port of Kollam in 1097 CE.

History

The origin of the Kollam Era has been dated to 825 CE, when the great convention in Kollam was held at the behest of King Kulashekharan. Kollam was an important town in that period, and the Malayalam Era is called 'Kollavarsham'.

There are multiple conflicting accounts regarding the origins of the Malayalam calendar, some of which are mentioned below:

  • According to legend, Kollam era is attributed to the legend of the hero Paraśurāma, an avatar (incarnation) of the god Vishnu. It is sometimes divided into cycles of 1,000 years reckoned from 1176 BCE. Thus, 825 CE would have been the first year of the era's third millennium.
  • The news of the physical disappearance of Sri Adi Shankaracharya in 820 CE at Kedarnath reached Kerala only a few years later. It is believed that Kerala began the Malayalam era, also called the Kollam era, in 825 CE in his memory.
  • According to Hermann Gundert, Kollavarsham started as part of erecting a new Shiva Temple in Kollam and because of the strictly local and religious background, the other regions did not follow this system at first. Once Kollam port emerged as an important trade center, however, the other countries also started to follow the new system of calendar. This theory backs the remarks of Ibn Battuta as well.
  • It is also believed that the era started as part of erection of the Thirupalkadal Sreekrishnaswamy Temple, family temple of Venad located at Keezhperoor or Kil-perur. Keezhperoor is a place located near Kilimanoor, which is used as prefix along with name of Venad and Travancore monarchs and is believed to be the maternal home of Kulasekhara Alvar.

Months

Comparative table showing corresponding months of other calendars
No. Months in Malayalam Era In Malayalam Tamil calendar Sanskrit solar month Saka era Tulu calendar Sign of zodiac Gregorian Calendar
1. ciṅṅam ചിങ്ങം Aavani Siṃha Śravana–Bhādrapada Sona Leo August–September
2. kaṉṉi കന്നി Purattasi Kanyā Bhādrapada–Aśvina Nirnaala Virgo September–October
3. tulām തുലാം Aippasi Tulā Aśvina–Kārtika Bonthyel Libra October–November
4. vr̥ścikam വൃശ്ചികം Karthigai Vṛścikam Kārtika–Mārgaśīrṣa Jaarde Scorpio November–December
5. dhaṉu ധനു Margazhi Dhanu Mārgaśīrṣa–Pauṣa Peraarde Sagittarius December–January
6. makaram മകരം Thai Makara Pauṣa/Taiṣya-Māgha Ponny Capricorn January–February
7. kumbham കുംഭം Maasi Kumbha Māgha–Phālguna Maayi Aquarius February–March
8. mīṉam മീനം Panguni Mīna Phālguna–Chaitra Suggy Pisces March–April
9. mēṭam മേടം Chithirai Meṣa Chaitra– Vaiśākha Paggu Aries April–May
10. iṭavam ഇടവം Vaikasi Vṛṣabha Vaiśākha–Jyaiṣṭha Besa Taurus May–June
11. mithuṉam മിഥുനം Aani Mithuna Jyaiṣṭha–Āṣāḍha Kaarthel Gemini June–July
12. kaṟkkaṭakam കർക്കടകം Aadi Karkaṭaka Āṣāḍha–Śrāvaṇa Aaty Cancer July–August

Days

The days of the week in the Malayalam calendar are suffixed with Aazhcha (ആഴ്ച), meaning week.

Comparative table showing corresponding weekdays
No. Malayalam മലയാളം Sanskrit English Kannada Tamil Hindi Arabic Punjabi
1. ñāyaṟ ഞായർ Bhānu vāsara Sunday Bhānu vāra Nyaayiru (ஞாயிறு) Ravivaar/Itvaar

(रविवार/इतवार)

al-aḥad Ravivaar/Aitvaar (ਰਵਿਵਾਰ/ਐਤਵਾਰ)
2. tiṅgaḷ തിങ്കൾ Sōma vāsara Monday Sōma vāra Thingal (திங்கள்) Somvaar

(सोमवार)

al-ithnayn Somvaar

(ਸੋਮਵਾਰ)

3. covva ചൊവ്വ Maṅgal̥a vāsara Tuesday Maṅgal̥a vāra Chevvai (செவ்வாய்) Mangalvaar

(मङ्गलवार)

al-thalāthāʾ Mangalvaar (ਮੰਗਲਵਾਰ)
4. budhaṉ ബുധൻ Budha vāsara Wednesday Budha vāra Budhan (புதன்) Budhvaar

(बुधवार)

al-arbaʿā Budhvaar

(ਬੁਧਵਾਰ)

5. vyāḻam വ്യാഴം Guru vāsara Thursday Guru vāra Vyazhan (வியாழன்) Guruvaar/Brihaspativaar

(गुरूवार/बृहस्पतिवार)

al-khamīs Guruvaar/Veervaar

(ਗੁਰੂਵਾਰ/ਵੀਰਵਾਰ)

6. veḷḷi വെള്ളി Śukra vāsara Friday Śukra vāra Velli (வெள்ளி) Shukravaar

(शुक्रवार)

al-jumuʿah Shukarvaar

(ਸ਼ੁਕਰਵਾਰ)

7. śaṉi ശനി Śani vāsara Saturday Śani vāra Sani
(சனி) 		Shanivaar

(शनिवार)

al-sabt Shanivaar

(ਸ਼ਨੀਵਾਰ)

Like the months above, there are twenty seven stars starting from Aswati (Ashvinī in Sanskrit) and ending in Revatī. The 365 days of the year are divided into groups of fourteen days called Ñattuvela (ഞാറ്റുവേല), each one bearing the name of a star.

Significant dates

  • Vishu (1st Medam): Malayali New Year (traditional)
  • Deepavali (Thulam): Festival of Lights
  • Onam
  • 1st Chingam: Malayali New Year (as per the Kollam Era calendar)

Vishu (വിഷു), celebrated on the first day of Medam, Onam (ഓണം), celebrated on the star Thiruvonam [t̪iruʋoːɳəm] on the first day of Chingam, and Deepavali (ദീപാവലി), celebrated on the first day of Thulam, are three of the major festivals. The first day of Chingam is celebrated as the Kerala New Year, replacing Vishu (വിഷു), which was considered the beginning of a year until 825 CE. Vishu is still celebrated as the traditional Malayali New Year, as it is astronomically significant, 'Medam' being the first among the 12 rashis (the zodiac signs corresponding to the 12 months of a solar year).. Deepavali is traditionally celebrated during Thulam which is the months of October and November.

The Makaravilakku festival is celebrated in the Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala on the first day of Makaram month. This marks the grand finale of the two-month period to the Sabarimala pilgrimage. The 1st of Makaram marks the winter Solstice (Uttarayanam) and the 1st of Karkaṭakam marks the summer solstice (Dakshinayanam) according to the Malayalam calendar (according to the astronomical calendar, the summer solstice is on 21 June, and the winter solstice on 21 December).

Chaitram 1 (usually coinciding with 20 March) or Medam 1 (mostly coinciding with 14 April, for 2019 it was on 15 April), both in the proximity of the date of the vernal equinox (21 March), mark the beginning of the new year in many traditional Indian calendars such as the Indian national calendar and the Tamil calendar. When the Government of Kerala adopted Kolla Varsham as the regional calendar, the first of Chingam, the month of the festival of Onam, was accepted as the Malayalam New Year instead.

Derived names

Many events in Kerala are related to the dates in the Malayalam calendar.

The agricultural activities of Kerala are centred on the seasons. The southwest monsoon which starts around 1 June is known as Edavappathi, meaning mid of month Edavam. The northeast monsoon which starts during mid October is called thulavarsham (rain in the month of thulam). The two harvests of paddy are called Kannikkoythu and Makarakkoythu (harvests in the months kanni and makaram) respectively.

See also

References

  1. "Kollam Era" (PDF). Indian Journal History of Science. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  2. Broughton Richmond (1956), Time measurement and calendar construction, p. 218
  3. R. Leela Devi (1986). History of Kerala. Vidyarthi Mithram Press & Book Depot. p. 408.
  4. Noburu Karashmia (ed.), A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2014. 89.
  5. Land, 'Brief History of the Syrians of Malabar'. Anedocta Syriaca, I, pp. 27.
  6. Sthanu Ravi Varma Cereti, C. G. (2009). "The Pahlavi Signatures on the Quilon Copper Plates". In Sundermann, W.; Hintze, A.; de Blois, F. (eds.). Exegisti Monumenta: Festschrift in Honour of Nicholas Sims-Williams. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz. ISBN 978-3-447-05937-4.
  7. ^ Narayanan, M. G. S. (2013). Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks. pp. 74–76, 143.
  8. "Chronology".
  9. Kalady: The Triumph of Faith Over Time. Dir. Rajesh Krishnan, K. Anand, and S. Thyagarajan. Sri Shankara Advaita Research Center, Sringeri, 31 May 2010. DVD.
  10. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: sharadapeetham (25 April 2012). "Kalady: The Triumph of Faith Over Time (Rediscovery of Sri Adi Shankaracharya's Birth Place)" – via YouTube.
  11. K. V. Sarma, Kollam Era, Indian Journal of History of Science, 31(1), 1996, pp. 93-100
  12. A. Sreedhara Menon (2007) . "CHAPTER VIII - THE KOLLAM ERA". A Survey Of Kerala History. DC Books, Kottayam. pp. 104–110. ISBN 978-81-264-1578-6. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  13. "Kollam - Short History". Statistical Data. kerala.gov.in. Archived from the original (Short History) on 21 November 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2014.

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