The official year of
Kerala, Kolla Varsham was begun in AD 825.
Panchangam, the traditional Hindu Vedic calendar, is supported by this year. The year starts with the month of
Chingam (August/September) and ends with
Karkidakam (July/August).
Many stories encircle the origin of this calendar system. According to Herman Gundart (a renowned western scholar), the era was commenced with the design of a Shiva temple at Kollam. But some historians believe that it was installed by King Udaya Marthanda Varma.
