Kerala is celebrating another New Year, according to the Malayalam calendar, also known as “Kollavarsham”. (Kollavarsham - 1184)The Malayalam era called Kolla Varsham (or Kollam era) was established in 825 CE. Some historians attribute the founding of this era to King Udaya Marthanda Varma, King of Venad. Chingam is the first month of the Malayalam Calendar. "Onam", the harvest festival, is one of the most important festivals of Kerala, is celebrated during the month of Chingam. This comes during August or September of Gregorian Calendar. The last month of the calendar ie., Karikdakam, is celebrated as Ramayanamasam.
The Malayalam Calendar months are named after the constellations in which the Sun is seen during the period. Thus Chingam (from Simham or Lion) is named after the constellation Leo. Interestingly parts of central Kerala consider Medam as the start of the year cycle. The Vishu festival signifies the start of the new year comes generally in middle of April.
Table showing Malayalam months and their corresponding months in other calendar systems.
| Malayalam Month | English Months | Saka Months | Hijra Months |
| Chingam | August - September | Sravana - Bhadra | Rajab - Sha`ban |
| Kanni | September - October | Bhadra - Asvina | Sha`ban - Ramadan |
| Thulam | October - November | Asvina - Kartika | Ramadan - Shawwal |
| Vrischikam | November - December | Kartika - Agrahayana | Shawwal - Dhu l-Qa`da |
| Dhanu | December - January | Agrahayana - Pausa | Dhu l-Qa`da - Dhu l-Hijja |
| Makaram | January - February | Pausa - Magha | Dhu l-Hijja - Muharram |
| Kumbham | February - March | Magha - Phalguna | Muharram - Safar |
| Meenam | March - April | Phalguna - Caitra | Safar - Rabi`al-Awwal |
| Medam | April - May | Caitra - Vaisakha | Rabi`al-Awwal - Rabi`ath-Thani |
| Edavam | May - June | Vaisakha - Jyaistha | Rabi`ath-Thani - Jumada l-Ula |
| Midhunam | June - July | Jyaistha - Asadha | Jumada l-Ula - Jumada t-Tania |
| Karkhidakam | July - August | Asadha - Sravana | Jumada t-Tania - Rajab |