The Kerala New Year (Malayalam Calendar) used to be on the day of vernal equinox, i.e., the day when the sun is considered to move from the southern to the northern hemisphere. The first Malayalam month however is Chingham ചിങ്ങം according to the Kollam Era.
Till the modern Malayalam calendar Kollam Era[1] was adopted in 825 CE, 1st day of the Malayalam month of Medam (മേടം) was considered to be the new year. This day is celebrated in KeralaasVishu today and it coincides with similar new year festivities in several other parts of India.
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