________________ virtue of its far reaching effects, is the introduction of a new series of customs among the natives of Malbar. No one can seriously deny that the reforms were inaugurated' by the swami after he has finished his education and entered the order of Sanyasis. Come suppose that the propagancia was started on a * first of Chingom in a place called "Killan" ( qui. lon ) From this spot he moved to the northwards always erying to change ""change " On th 31 st of that Chingoin he reached the southeren bank of Bharata river which ring westwards through the iniddle of Keralsi. Frurr. the 1 st of kanni 'the changes ordered by him were effected in those parts of kerala lying to the north of the river. This is the tradition about the beginning of the Kollon era now prevailing in Malbar. To the malayalis living on the southern side of the Barata river the new year therefore begins on the 1 st Chingon, insiend of 1 st medom as it is does in other parts of India and as astronomy requires. and to those living on the opposite side of the river it begins from the 1 st of Kanni. Since the reformation began in Kil. lan ( quilon ] the era was called " Kollam Andu.'' The beginning of this era corresponds to the 1 st cbingom of the year 3927 of the Kaliera. . Though thise legends do not afford conclusive proofs, they furnish some pata from which we . sball be justified-in iferring that the customs l'ecul. iar to the south-west coast were re modelled in Kerala by Shankeracharya 1085 years ago. There are in some old cadjan mannscript8 certain miperconion of astropomical value relating to the pe P.P. Ac. Gunratnasuri M.S. Jun Gun Aaradhak Trust
