Today is Chingam 1, the first day of the Malayalam month Chingam. The day marks the beginning of the New Year, as per the Malayalam calender. Chingam 1 is considered auspicious for making new beginnings. For farmers, it marks the beginning of the harvest season in Kerala. Special poojas were held in temples and households to welcome the New Year. Despite an overcast sky and showers at several places, large number of people visited temples across the state this morning.