Karkidakam is the last month of the Malayalam calendar (followed in Kerala), which falls during the month of July or August. For the people of Kerala, this month is known as panja maasam or a month of poverty. The Karkidakatheyyam is performed in this month of the year so as to ward off the sorrow and sufferings of the season of torrential downpours and to welcome Chingam, the next month that ushers in prosperity and happiness.