Ramayana Masam in Kerala is observed in the Malayalam month Karkidakam (July – August). In 2011, the Ramayana Masam begins on July 17 and ends on August 16. The reading of the Ramayan begins on the first day of the month and is completely read by last day of the month.
On all days in the month, the Epic Ramayana is read in Neervilakom Ayyappa Temple. The holy book of Ramayana is recited in thirty one Hindu families by the members of Haindava Seva Samithi.
The famous Malayalam Version of the Ramayana titled Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu written by Thunchath Ezhuthachan is the one recited in the month. After lighting the evening lamp, people sit before nilavilakku and recite the Adhyatma Ramayanam. The reading of the epic is managed in such a way that the reading ends on the last day in the Karkidakam Month.
