Regional Indian Calendars Compared: Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, Assamese, Odia & Nepali
A comprehensive deep-dive into regional solar transits (Sankranti) and localized era reckonings.
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India boasts diverse regional solar calendars based on Sun transits into zodiac signs (Rashi). Explore Tamil Puthandu, Malayalam Kollam Era, Bengali Bangabda, Assamese Rongali Bihu, and Nepali Bikram Sambat.
Diversity in Unity: Solar Transits Across States
While North India primarily relies on lunar Vikram Samvat for month calculations, coastal and eastern Indian states follow sidereal solar calendars. The transition from one solar month to another occurs when the Sun transits into a new zodiac sign (Sankranti). In Kerala, people often ask for “Chingam date today” — Chingam is the first Malayalam month (about mid-August to mid-September) and the month of Onam.
| State / Region | Calendar System | New Year Festival | Approximate Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil Calendar (Sidereal) | Puthandu (Chithirai 1) | April 14 |
| Kerala | Kollavarsham (Kollam Era) | Chingam 1 (or Vishu in Medam) | August 17 / April 14 |
| West Bengal | Bangabda (traditional Surya Siddhanta) | Poila Boishakh | Usually 15 April |
| Assam | Bhaskarabda / Bihu | Rongali Bihu (Bohag 1) | April 14 |
| Odisha | Odia Solar Panjika | Maha Vishuva Sankranti | April 14 |
| Nepal | Bikram Sambat (BS) | Nawa Barsha (Baisakh 1) | April 14 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Chingam date today?
Chingam is the first month of the Malayalam calendar (Kollavarsham). Open the Malayalam Calendar page on Indian Date Today for today's Chingam or other Kollam Era date.
Q: Why do most regional solar new years fall on mid-April?
Because mid-April marks Mesha Sankranti, when the Sun enters Mesha Rashi (Aries, the 0-degree point of the sidereal zodiac), signaling the astronomical spring equinox.