Tharoor Greets Malayalis on Chingam New Year
Synopsis
Congress MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor marked the first day of Chingam on 17 August 2026, wishing Malayalis on the start of the Malayalam calendar year — a month that also heralds the Onam season across Kerala.
Key Takeaways
Shashi Tharoor , Congress MP for Thiruvananthapuram , greeted Malayalis on the first day of Chingam .
Chingam is the first month of the Malayalam calendar and marks the traditional Malayali new year.
The month of Chingam also signals the beginning of the Onam season, Kerala's most widely observed harvest festival.
Tharoor regularly marks Kerala cultural occasions publicly, maintaining a visible connection with his constituency.
Onam celebrations — including pookalam , the Onam Sadhya , and boat races — follow later in the month across the state.
As Kerala marks the first day of Chingam — the opening month of the Malayalam calendar and the traditional Malayali new year — Congress MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor extended warm wishes to the community on Monday, 17 August 2026.
Chingam holds a special place in Kerala's cultural calendar. It is the first of the twelve months in the Malayalam calendar system, and its arrival is celebrated as the Malayali new year, distinct from the lunisolar new year festivals observed elsewhere in India. The month also sets the stage for Onam, the harvest festival that follows later in Chingam and stands as Kerala's most widely observed celebration.
Tharoor and the Kerala cultural calendar
Dr. Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha, has a consistent record of marking Kerala's cultural occasions publicly. For a constituency-rooted MP whose profile spans international diplomacy and national politics, these greetings serve as a direct line to the Keralite community — acknowledging the rhythms of daily life that matter to his constituents.
Onam season now underway
With Chingam's arrival, Onam preparations begin to gather momentum across Kerala. The festival, which celebrates the mythical homecoming of King Mahabali, brings with it pookalam (flower rangoli), the grand Onam Sadhya feast, and boat races on the backwaters. State government events and temple rituals across the region will follow through the month.
Point of View
These regional touchpoints reinforce local roots. The timing also places him visibly at the start of the Onam season, the most politically and culturally resonant period in Kerala's annual calendar.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chingam in the Malayalam calendar?
Chingam is the first month of the Malayalam calendar and is celebrated as the start of the Malayali new year. It also marks the beginning of the Onam season in Kerala.
Why did Shashi Tharoor post about Chingam?
Dr. Shashi Tharoor is the Congress MP for Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and regularly marks Kerala cultural occasions to connect with his Keralite constituents.
What festivals fall during the month of Chingam?
The most significant festival during Chingam is Onam, Kerala's harvest festival celebrated with flower rangoli (pookalam), the Onam Sadhya feast, and traditional boat races.
When is Chingam celebrated?
Chingam falls in the August-September period of the Gregorian calendar, marking the start of the Malayalam new year.
