The first of Chingam is new year's day in the Malayalam era, the Kollavarsham. It ends Karkidakam, the hungry month of rain and illness, and opens the month of harvest and Onam, which Malayalis call Ponnin Chingam, golden Chingam. People go to a temple in the morning, wear something new, and the state keeps the day as Karshaka Dinam, Farmers' Day.
The story
The Kollam era began in 825 of the common era, and is named either for the port of Kollam, refounded about then, or for a gathering of astronomers there. Its year number is 825 less than the common one after Chingam.
Its months are the twelve signs of the zodiac under their Malayalam names, beginning with Chingam, the Lion: one of the few calendars in India where the year opens in the middle of the monsoon and not in spring.
ഏവർക്കും ഐശ്വര്യപൂർണ്ണമായ പുതുവത്സരാശംസകൾ
Wishes to all for a new year full of prosperity
The greeting of the day
How the day goes
- Temple visitBefore anything else; Sabarimala and Guruvayur see heavy crowds.
- Illam niraIn the days around, the first sheaves of the new paddy are carried into temples and homes.
- New venturesHousewarmings and weddings, avoided through Karkidakam, begin again.
- Karshaka DinamFarmers are honoured across the state.
- Counting to OnamFrom the star Atham, flower carpets are laid each morning.
Why this date
Chingam 1 is the first day of the solar month of Chingam. The month begins on the day the Sun enters Simha (Leo) if that happens in the first three fifths of the daytime, otherwise on the next day. It falls on 16, 17 or 18 August.
Chingam 1 in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday | |
| 2027 | Wednesday | |
| 2028 | Thursday | |
| 2029 | Friday | |
| 2030 | Saturday | |
| 2031 | Monday |
More Kerala festivals
11 SeptemberUthradomഉത്രാടം
12 SeptemberThiruvonamതിരുവോണം
24 AugustAshtami Rohiniഅഷ്ടമിരോഹിണി
18 JulyGuru Purnimaഗുരുപൂർണ്ണിമ
14 JulySayana Ekadasiശയന ഏകാദശി
4 SeptemberVinayaka Chathurthiവിനായക ചതുർത്ഥി
Where to see Chingam 1
In Kerala
- Guruvayur TempleKeralaThe most sought-after day of the year for weddings before the Lord.
- SabarimalaKeralaThe shrine opens for five days at the start of every Malayalam month.
- KuttanadKeralaThe rice bowl of Kerala, farmed below sea level, in the season of the snake-boat races.
Across India
- MathuraUttar PradeshThe north is approaching Janmashtami.
- PuriOdishaThe monsoon swing festival of Jhulan is under way.
- MaduraiTamil NaduThe Tamil month of Avani begins on the same day.