Malayalam New Year Chingam observed on 17th August 2023

Malayalam New Year Chingam observed on 17th August 2023

Chingam 1, also known as Chingam Month or Chingam Masam,  is the first day of the new year of the traditional Malayalam calendar used in Kerala.
It’s a day of celebration in God’s own country – it’s the first day of the new year of the traditional Malayalam calendar used in Kerala. Chingam 1 is also known as Chingam Month or Chingam Masam and it’s followed by the Onam festival. The Malayam Calendar is based on the solar calendar system and every year, the date of Chingam 1 varies. In 2023, it’s being celebrated on August 17. Meanwhile, Onam will begin on August 20 and will continue till August 29.
The Malayalam calendar ends with ‘Karkidakam’, the final month of the year. August 17, 2023, as the Malayalam year marks the beginning of ‘Kollavarsham 1199’ as per the Malayalam calendar.

‘Chingam’ 1 Celebrations

The festival is celebrated by Keralites concurrently despite different casts and religions. This is the time for sports and celebrations in the state. Living in the area covered with backwaters, lakes, and canals, the people of Kerala take their boats and country crafts to celebrate the occasion. This month also sets the stage for the ten-day Onam festival which culminates on August 31, 2023. It includes a few prominent celebrations which are:

Sadya

  • A luxurious feast known as the ‘Sadya’ is served in every Malayali’s house. The ‘Sadya’ is a grand, multi-course vegetarian meal served on a banana leaf, containing a variety of Kerala dishes. It includes
    • Sambhar
    • Mor Curry
    • Kalan
    • Thoran
    • Olan
    • Erissery
    • Upperi
    • Puli Inji
    • Payasam

Pookalam

  • A ‘Pookalam’ is the most vital part of this festival. It is a rangoli which is made out of flowers. The rangoli made on the first day of Onam is known as ‘Athapoo.’ Similarly, different designs of rangolis are made using a wide variety of flowers.

Pulikali

  • This celebration is usually practiced on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Here, artists paint their bodies into tiger stripes and dance to the beat of the ‘Chenda’.

Vallamkali

  • This is the most fun to watch. If you are an individual visiting Kerala anytime soon, then don’t miss this. This is the most famous Boat Race, which is one of the most popular attractions of Kerala.

Chingam 1 is a time of new beginnings and is associated with prosperity and good fortune. People celebrate the occasion by wearing new clothes, offering prayers at temples, visiting family and friends, and enjoying traditional feasts.

The day holds cultural and religious significance. This is the time when people celebrate, rejoice and harvest.

 

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