[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c7.2507 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.2507 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c7.2507 - **Language:** English ### [c7.2507](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.2507) KOLLAVARṢA. (MALAYĀLAM ERA). Several opinions have been brought forward about the starting of the Malayālam Era. There is great controversy as to the causes of starting this new era. The opinion of Śaṅkuṇṇi Menon is as follows. The King Udayamārtaṇḍavarmā called together at Quilon, an assembly of the learned men and astronomers of the time, in Kalivarṣa 3926 (A.D. 825) and made astronomical researches and taking into account the movements and positions of the various planets in the solar system, started a new era beginning with the month of Ciṅṉam (August-September). This new era commenced on the 15th of August 825 A.D. All the learned men and scholars of the time welcomed this Malayālam era. The neighbouring kingdoms also recognized this new era. Reckoning of dates based on this Malayālam Era is seen in the ‘Madura and Tinnevelly Stone-edicts and copper edicts.’ On the fifth day of Ciṅṉam of the first year of M.E., five royal families of Travancore met together and took a decision that the festival days of the temples should be reckoned according to the Malayālam Era. The controversy is not about the starting of the new era, but the reasons for starting the new era. - [Previous: c7.2506](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.2506) - [Next: c7.2508](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.2508) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.2507](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.2507) · Pramāṇa