Karkidaka Masam.

Karkidaka masam or Karkidakam month, popularly known as Ramayana Masam is the last month in the Malayalam Calender.  The months Namely starts from  (1. Chingam 2. Kanni 3. Thulam, 4. Vrischikam. 5.Dhanu, 6. Makaram, 7. Kumbham, 8. Meenam, 9. Medam, 10. Edavam, 11. Midhunam, 12. Karkkidakam) .  Karkidaka Masam is the last and 12^th month in Malayalam calendar followed in Kerala. Karkidakam month is dedicated to dead ancestors during when Shraddh ritual or pitru tharpan are offered to them. In 2010, Karkidaka Masam starts on July 17 and ends on August 16. Karkidaka month marks the Sun’s transition to Karkadaka rashi from Mithuna rashi.

Karkidaka Vavu Bali (Pitru tharpan rituals) is the major ritual followed in Malayalam month of Karkidakam in Kerala.  This is on  s August 9, 2010.

The sacred scripture Ramayana is recited during the whole month of Karkidam hence it is also known as Ramayana Masam. To welcome the Malayalam New Year (Chingam 1 or Chingam Month 1) with refreshing spiritual approach, Ramayana is recited till the last day of Karkidaka month.In every hindu houses and temples the sacred scripture  Ramayanam is recited in the whole month.  Most of the elder persons in the house will take part in this ritual.  In temples the morning starts with the  reading of Ramayana  with mikes. 

Malayala month of Karkadikam 2010 corresponds with Aadi month in Tamil calendar, Shravana masam and Bhadrapada masam in Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati, and Purnimant Hindi calendars. It corresponds with Bengali Shraban month.

In the houses Karkidaka Kanji (medicinal mixture of herbs with gruel) is prepared  and  almost all the members will consume it daily  as a healthy measure.