"Decoding Time the Dharmic Way: A Journey through the Malayalam Calendar"
Explore the Malayalam calendar, a traditional solar calendar followed in Kerala, showcasing Hindu festivals, rituals, and astrological data.
The Malayalam calendar, also known as Kollavarsham or Kollam Era, is a solar and sidereal calendar used predominantly in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The calendar is deeply rooted in Hindu traditions, with its months being named after the zodiac signs in Indian astrology.
The Kollavarsham begins with the month of Chingam, which typically falls in August in the Gregorian calendar, heralding the harvest festival of Onam. This festival, a major event in the socio-cultural life of Kerala, signifies the summer harvest and is considered a new beginning, making it analogous to New Year celebrations in many other cultures.
The Malayalam calendar is intricately linked to Hindu rituals and worship. Each day is associated with a specific star or 'Nakshatra', and this plays a significant role in determining auspicious times (Muhurtas) for ceremonies and rituals. The calendar follows a 27-day cycle, corresponding to the 27 Nakshatras, and an additional cyclic pattern of 30 days, matching the lunar month.
It's quite interesting to note that the Malayalam Calendar doesn't follow the lunar method of time calculation as commonly found in other Indian calendars, but rather a solar method. This has its roots in the agrarian past of Kerala, where farming cycles were closely tied to the movement of the sun.
In terms of accuracy, the Malayalam calendar is remarkably precise. Each day is divided into two parts: 'Paksha'. The fortnight that starts with new moon day (Amavasi) is called Sukla Paksha and the one that starts with full moon day (Purnima) is called Krishna Paksha. Time is divided into five parts, namely, Pratahkala (morning), Sangava (forenoon), Madhyahna (midday), Aparahna (afternoon), and Sayahna (evening).
The Malayalam calendar serves as an important cultural marker and plays a pivotal role in the various religious, cultural and social practices of Kerala. It's not just a simple tool for marking days and months, but a comprehensive guide for lifestyle, religious practices, and agriculture in the region.