If Chingam is the first month on Malayalam calender, why is Vishu the New Year? Expert explains

Malayalis in Kerala celebrate Vishu, the beginning of a new year, with an auspicious Vishu Kani. The day marks a fresh beginning and is also when sowing and ploughing for agriculture begin, eventually leading to the harvest of the produce around Onam. However, those familiar with the Malayalam 'kollavarsham' calendar know that 'Chingam,' the month in which Onam is celebrated, is the first month of the calendar and generally falls around August each year. If so, why is Vishu the New Year? Astrology expert and writer Raveendran Kalarickal explains.

Why is Vishu the New Year's Day?
The decision to celebrate Chingam as the first month of the year in Kerala came around 825 CE, when the Malayalam official calendar of 'kollavarsham' was launched, says Raveendran. He explains, "However, the celebration of Vishu existed even before, taking into account various aspects like the beginning of farming season and the timing of the equinox. This means the decision to have the New Year start in Chingam was an official one, taken in a royal meeting. On the other hand, Vishu continued to be celebrated as the New Year, ritually and culturally."  

Vishu has been an agricultural festival for ages, he explains.  "In places like Tamil Nadu, of which Kerala was a part of, earlier, the New Year is still around Vishu and is celebrated as Puthandu," he says. Assam's Bihu, Punjab's Baisakhi and Nepal's Bishu also fall around the same time. 

Special temples to visit for Vishu
Visiting Sree Krishna temples is generally considered auspicious for Vishu Day. Here are a few other temples in South India that devotees prefer to visit on the day. 
1) Guruvayoor Sri Krishna Temple
2) Sabarimala Dharmasastha Temple
3) Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple
4) Thiruvarppu Sri Krishna Temple 
5) Udupi Sri Krishna Matha temple