Are you looking for the Malayalam Calendar 2026 (മലയാളം കലണ്ടർ 2026)? Then you have landed in exactly the right place. For every Malayali family — whether living in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Dubai, or Toronto — the Malayalam Calendar is not just a wall decoration. It is a living document that shapes how the entire year unfolds. It tells you when to wake up early for Vishu Kani, when to spread the Pookalam for Onam, which Saturday to book the wedding hall, and which Ekadashi to observe your fast. No other regional calendar in India carries quite the same weight of cultural identity, agricultural wisdom, and spiritual precision that the Mathrubhumi Calendar 2026 delivers to Kerala’s people.
What is the Malayalam Calendar?
The Malayalam Calendar or Kollavarsham is the traditional Kerala calendar. Malayala Manorama Calendar, Mathrubhumi Calendar, Deepika Calendar, and Kerala Kaumudi Calendar are the most circulated printed versions. The Kerala Government also issues an official calendar listing government holidays. Google Play
What truly sets the Malayalam Calendar apart from every other Indian regional calendar is its dual system — it follows both the solar Kollavarsham reckoning for festivals like Vishu and Onam, and the lunar Tithi system for fasting days and auspicious Muhurats. Most Malayalam festivals are determined according to the position of the Sun and the Moon. Malayalam festival dates, Tithi, and Muhurat depend upon the geographic location of the user — making it far more precise and location-sensitive than generic Hindu almanacs
Free PDF Download – Malayalam Calendar 2026 (All Months)
| Month | Malayalam Month |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | Makaram – Kumbham |
| February 2026 | Kumbham – Meenam |
| March 2026 | Meenam – Medam |
| April 2026 | Medam – Edavam (Vishu) |
| May 2026 | Edavam – Mithunam |
| June 2026 | Mithunam – Karkidakam |
| July 2026 | Karkidakam – Chingam |
| August 2026 | Chingam – Kanni (Onam) |
| September 2026 | Kanni – Thulam |
| October 2026 | Thulam – Vrischikam |
| November 2026 | Vrischikam – Dhanu (Guruvayur Ekadashi) |
| December 2026 | Dhanu – Makaram (Christmas) |
The Twelve Malayalam Months (Māsam) – 2026
Every Malayali knows these twelve month names by heart — each one carrying its own distinct weather, festivals, agricultural rhythm, and cultural identity.
| Malayalam Month | English Period | Key Festival / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Chingam (ചിങ്ങം) | Aug – Sep | Onam, First Harvest |
| Kanni (കന്നി) | Sep – Oct | Navratri, Puja Season |
| Thulam (തുലാം) | Oct – Nov | Thulavarsham — Northeast Monsoon |
| Vrischikam (വൃശ്ചികം) | Nov – Dec | Mandala Kaalam, Sabarimala Season |
| Dhanu (ധനു) | Dec – Jan | Sabarimala Peak Season |
| Makaram (മകരം) | Jan – Feb | Makaravilakku, Makara Sankranti |
| Kumbham (കുംഭം) | Feb – Mar | Maha Shivaratri, Utsavam Season |
| Meenam (മീനം) | Mar – Apr | Vishu Preparations, Temple Festivals |
| Medam (മേടം) | Apr – May | Vishu — Solar New Year |
| Edavam (ഇടവം) | May – Jun | Southwest Monsoon Begins — Edavapathi |
| Mithunam (മിഥുനം) | Jun – Jul | Karkidakam Eve |
| Karkidakam (കർക്കിടകം) | Jul – Aug | Ramayana Masam — Month of Rejuvenation |
Major Kerala Festivals & Holidays – Malayalam Calendar 2026
| Date | Festival / Important Day | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2, 2026 | Mannam Jayanti | Birthday of Mannathu Padmanabhan — SNDP founder |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Republic Day | National Holiday |
| Feb 15, 2026 | Maha Shivaratri | All-night vigil and Abhishekam at Shiva temples |
| Mar 21, 2026 | Idul-Fitr (Ramzan) | End of Ramadan — Kerala Muslim observance |
| Apr 3, 2026 | Good Friday | Solemn Christian observance across Kerala |
| Apr 5, 2026 | Easter | Resurrection celebration — Kerala’s large Christian community |
| Apr 14–15, 2026 | Vishu | Solar New Year — Vishukani, Kaineetam, Vishu Feast |
| Apr 14, 2026 | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanthi | National observance |
| May 1, 2026 | May Day | Workers’ Day — widely observed in Kerala |
| May 27, 2026 | Bakrid (Eid al-Adha) | Festival of Sacrifice |
| Aug 15, 2026 | Independence Day | National Holiday |
| Aug 25, 2026 | Uthradam — First Onam | Beginning of Onam celebrations |
| Aug 27, 2026 | Thiruvonam | Grand Onam feast day — cultural peak of the year |
| Sep 21, 2026 | Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi | Commemorating the great social reformer’s Samadhi |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi | Birthday of Kerala’s greatest social reformer |
| Oct 2, 2026 | Gandhi Jayanthi | National Holiday |
| Oct 20, 2026 | Mahanavami | Ayudha Puja and Saraswati Puja across Kerala |
| Oct 21, 2026 | Vijaya Dasami | Vidhyarambham — sacred initiation to learning |
| Nov 8, 2026 | Deepavali | Festival of Lights — observed across Kerala |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Mandala Puja Begins | Sacred 41-day Sabarimala Mandala season starts |
| Dec 25, 2026 | Christmas | Kerala’s grand Christian celebration — Boro Din |
Key Festivals of Malayalam Calendar 2026
Vishu – April 14–15, 2026
Vishu is the emotional and cultural crown of the entire Malayalam Calendar year. Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrating the Malayali New Year in Kerala and Mahe of India. It falls on the first day of the month of Medam, the first month of the Solar calendar used in Malabar of Kerala — April 14 or 15 in the Gregorian calendar — signifying the Solar New Year as the Sun moves into the zodiac sign of Aries. Observances include Kani, Kaineetam, Kanji, Kani Konna, and Padakkam (firecrackers), beginning at 4:00 AM during Brahmamuhurtha. Thakur Prasad
The Vishukani is the most sacred ritual of the day. Before the first light of dawn, the eldest woman of every Malayali household arranges a breathtaking display in a large brass vessel — the golden Kani Konna (Cassia fistula) flowers that bloom specifically at Vishu time, raw rice, fresh fruits and vegetables, a lit oil lamp, gold coins, a mirror, and the idol or image of Lord Vishnu. Every family member is led to this arrangement blindfolded and sees it as their very first sight of the new year. This first sight — the Vishukani darshan — is believed to determine the abundance of prosperity and happiness for the entire year ahead.
Kaineetam — the giving of money gifts by elders to children and younger family members — follows the Kani ritual. The new clothes of Vishu (Vishuppudam), the special Vishu Kanji (rice porridge with coconut milk and banana), and the evening fireworks together make Vishu a complete sensory celebration of new beginnings.
Karkidakam – July 2026 (Ramayana Masam)
The month of Karkidakam — July 2026 in the Malayalam Calendar — is one of the most spiritually unique observances in all of Kerala’s cultural traditions. While the rest of India celebrates the monsoon as simply a weather event, Keralites mark this period as Ramayana Masam — the month dedicated to the daily reading of the Ramayana.
Every evening throughout Karkidakam, families gather around the lamp in the puja room and read from Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan’s Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu — the beloved Malayalam rendering of the Ramayana that has been the bedrock of Kerala’s literary and spiritual heritage for five centuries. The reading of the Ramayana in the monsoon lamplight, with rain falling outside and the smell of incense and oil lamps filling the home, is one of the most atmospherically perfect spiritual experiences in any culture anywhere in the world.
Karkidakam is also associated with Ayurvedic rejuvenation — it is the traditional season for Panchakarma treatments, as the humid monsoon air is believed to open the body’s pores and make it most receptive to herbal therapies. Kerala’s Ayurvedic tradition considers Karkidakam the ideal month for deep cleansing and body restoration.
Onam – August 25–27, 2026
Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala. It is celebrated when Thiruvonam Nakshatra prevails in the month of Chingam. Onam is dedicated to Lord Vamana and King Bali. Thakurprasad
Onam 2026 spans ten magnificent days — from Atham to Thiruvonam — with Uthradam on August 25 and the grand Thiruvonam on August 27 as the peak celebrations. Onam is Kerala’s harvest festival and its greatest cultural celebration — a ten-day period that transcends religion, caste, and politics to unite every Malayali in a shared celebration of their identity.
The legendary King Mahabali — the benevolent Asura king who ruled Kerala in a golden age of perfect equality and abundance — is believed to return to his people once a year on Thiruvonam, to see that they are happy and prosperous. Every Onam tradition is shaped by this central narrative of love between a king and his people.
The Pookalam — the intricate floral carpet created fresh every morning of the ten Onam days — is a collective work of art that takes families and communities hours to create, using fresh flowers arranged in concentric circular patterns of extraordinary beauty. The Onasadya — the grand feast of 26 dishes served on a banana leaf in a specific sequence — is one of the most elaborate and delicious meals in all of Indian cuisine. The Vallamkali (snake boat race) at Aranmula and Champakkulam is one of the most spectacular sporting events in Asia. And the Pulikali (tiger dance) of Thrissur, where men painted as tigers and hunters fill the streets with theatrical ferocity, is a performance art form unlike anything else in the world.
Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi – September 26, 2026
Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi on September 26, 2026 honors the life and legacy of Kerala’s most transformative spiritual and social figure. Born in 1856 in Thiruvananthapuram into a community considered low-caste by the deeply unjust caste hierarchy of his time, Sree Narayana Guru went on to establish temples open to all castes, challenge the brutal social discrimination of his era through spiritual authority rather than violence, and articulate the philosophy of “Oru Jaati, Oru Matham, Oru Daivam Manushyanu” (One Caste, One Religion, One God for Humanity) — a vision of universal human equality that was radical in the 19th century and remains necessary in the 21st.
His Samadhi (September 21) and Jayanthi (September 26) are both public holidays in Kerala — days when schools, colleges, and SNDP organizations across the state organize cultural programmes, social service activities, and devotional gatherings honoring this extraordinary man’s contribution to Kerala’s social transformation.
Mandala Season & Sabarimala – November–December 2026
One of the most uniquely Kerala observances in the entire Malayalam Calendar year is the Mandala season — the 41-day sacred period of Sabarimala pilgrimage that begins with Mandala Puja in late November 2026 and culminates with the spectacular Makaravilakku in January 2027.
During these 41 days, millions of devotees observing the Sabarimala Vrat — wearing black or blue clothes, maintaining strict celibacy, vegetarian diet, and daily prayers — prepare themselves for the pilgrimage to Lord Ayyappa’s shrine in the Periyar forests of the Western Ghats. The Mandala season transforms the spiritual atmosphere of Kerala completely — you can see the black-clad Ayyappa devotees everywhere, hear their chant of “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa” filling temple courtyards and bus stops, and feel the collective devotional energy that makes this one of the largest annual religious gatherings anywhere on Earth.
Christmas – December 25, 2026
Kerala’s Christmas celebration is unlike anywhere else in India — because Kerala is home to one of the world’s oldest Christian communities, traditionally believed to have been founded by Saint Thomas the Apostle who arrived on Kerala’s Malabar Coast in 52 CE. Over two thousand years of Christian presence in Kerala has created a form of Christianity that is deeply Indian in its cultural expression while remaining faithful to its ancient roots.
The Midnight Mass at centuries-old churches — some of which date back over a thousand years — is the spiritual centerpiece of Christmas in Kerala. The distinctive Christmas Star (Tara) — a hand-crafted paper or bamboo star lantern hung in every Christian household’s doorway and window from early December — transforms Kerala’s towns into constellations of warm light. The Christmas feast of Duck Roast, Appam, and Plum Cake is a uniquely Kerala tradition. And the spirit of Onam-like community sharing — with families of all faiths visiting each other’s homes on Christmas day — reflects the beautiful inclusive culture that Kerala calls its own.
Kerala-Specific Ekadashi Dates 2026 (Guruvayur Focus)
Ekadashi is observed with special devotion in Kerala — particularly at the sacred Guruvayur Temple, where Ekadashi days draw tens of thousands of pilgrims. The Guruvayur Ekadashi (falling in the Vrischikam month — November/December) is the most significant of all Ekadashis for Kerala’s Vaishnava community.
| Date | Ekadashi Name | Kerala Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 13, 2026 | Shattila Ekadashi | Observed at Guruvayur and Vishnu temples |
| Feb 12, 2026 | Vijaya Ekadashi | Victory-granting fast — widely observed |
| Mar 14, 2026 | Papamochani Ekadashi | Sin-cleansing fast before Vishu season |
| Apr 13, 2026 | Varuthini Ekadashi | Protection-granting fast |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Mohini Ekadashi | Special significance — Lord Vishnu’s Mohini avatar |
| May 13, 2026 | Apara Ekadashi | Liberation fast |
| Jun 25, 2026 | Nirjala Ekadashi | Strictest fast — no water — highly meritorious |
| Jul 25, 2026 | Devshayani Ekadashi | Lord Vishnu enters cosmic sleep — Chaturmas begins |
| Aug 9, 2026 | Kamika Ekadashi | First Ekadashi of Chaturmas |
| Aug 23, 2026 | Shravana Putrada Ekadashi | Observed during Onam season |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Devutthana Ekadashi | Lord Vishnu awakens — Chaturmas ends |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Guruvayur Ekadashi | Most sacred Ekadashi for Kerala — massive pilgrimage |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Utpanna Ekadashi | Beginning of Dhanu month fasting season |
| Dec 20, 2026 | Mokshada Ekadashi | Gita Jayanti — liberation-granting fast |
Major Kerala Vrats & Observances 2026
| Date | Kerala Vrat / Observance |
|---|---|
| Jan 6, 2026 | Sankashti Chaturthi — Ganapati worship |
| Feb 15, 2026 | Maha Shivaratri — all-night vigil at Shiva temples |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Navratri begins — Goddess worship |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Hanuman Jayanti — widely observed in Kerala |
| Apr 19, 2026 | Akshaya Tritiya — gold purchase, new beginnings |
| Jul 16, 2026 | Jagannath Rath Yatra — observed at Guruvayur |
| Aug 17, 2026 | Nag Panchami — serpent worship |
| Sep 14, 2026 | Ganesh Chaturthi — 10-day celebration begins |
| Oct 21, 2026 | Vijayadashami — Vidhyarambham initiation |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Guruvayur Ekadashi — Sabarimala Mandala begins |
| Dec 7, 2026 | Masik Shivaratri — Dhanu month Shiva worship |
| Dec 23, 2026 | Margashirsha Purnima Vrat |
Vivah Muhurtham 2026 – Malayalam Calendar Wedding Dates
Kerala weddings are magnificent, elaborate affairs — often planned years in advance with meticulous attention to Janma Nakshatram compatibility and auspicious Lagnam timings.
| Month | Auspicious Marriage Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 5, 9, 18, 23 | Good opening window |
| February 2026 | 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26 | Excellent month — many Muhurats |
| March 2026 | 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 | Strong Muhurat window |
| April 2026 | 15, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 | Post-Vishu auspicious period |
| May 2026 | 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 | Final pre-monsoon window |
| June 2026 | 21–27, 29 | Limited but available |
| July 2026 | 1, 6 | Last two dates before ban |
| August 2026 | ❌ No Muhurtham | Karkidakam month — avoid |
| September 2026 | ❌ No Muhurtham | Chaturmas period |
| October 2026 | ❌ No Muhurtham | Chaturmas continues |
| November 2026 | 21, 24, 25, 26 | Muhurats resume post-Chaturmas |
| December 2026 | 4, 5, 6 | Final wedding window of 2026 |
Important: Always consult a temple Thirumeni or qualified Kerala astrologer for the exact Lagnam timing based on your specific Janma Nakshatra, birth time, and wedding location. The dates above are general auspicious windows — the precise Muhurtham must be individually calculated.
Njattuvela 2026 – Kerala’s Unique Farming Calendar
The Njattuvela (ഞാറ്റുവേല) system is what makes the Malayalam Calendar genuinely unlike any other almanac in India. Based on the Sun’s transit through 27 Nakshatras — each transit lasting approximately 13–14 days — the Njattuvela system gives Kerala’s farmers, fishermen, and gardeners precise guidance on rainfall patterns, planting seasons, and weather behavior.
Thiruvathira Njattuvela (approximately June) — expect heavy, consistent rainfall. Pooram Njattuvela — typically drier, suitable for outdoor work. Avittam Njattuvela — excellent for planting. Rohini Njattuvela — historically associated with drought conditions. The Mathrubhumi Calendar 2026 lists every Njattuvela with its exact start and end date — making it an indispensable agricultural reference that has guided Kerala’s farming communities for over a thousand years.
All 12 months are available separately for download. The calendar includes all major festivals like Vishu, Onam, Diwali, Christmas, and other important holidays — completely free to view and download for personal use.
Conclusion
The Malayalam Calendar 2026 (മലയാളം കലണ്ടർ 2026) is your complete companion for living the year as a culturally aware, spiritually connected Malayali. From the golden dawn of Vishukani in April to the communal feast of Onam in August, from the sacred Guruvayur Ekadashi pilgrimage in November to the devotional Mandala season at Sabarimala and the joyful warmth of Christmas in December — every month of 2026 offers Kerala’s uniquely beautiful blend of devotion, community, culture, and nature. Download your free PDF, mark your festival dates, and step into 2026 with the full richness of Kerala’s extraordinary living tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When is Vishu in 2026 as per the Malayalam Calendar?
Vishu 2026 date is April 15, observed as the harvest festival of Kerala on the first day of the Medam month of the Malayalam Panchang. The most sacred ritual is Vishukani — arranged before sunrise by the eldest woman and viewed as the first auspicious sight of the new year — followed by Kaineetam (gift-giving), new clothes, and the festive Vishu feast.
2. When is Onam 2026 in the Malayalam Calendar?
Onam 2026 has Uthradam (First Onam) on August 25 and the grand Thiruvonam on August 27 — falling in the Chingam month of Kollavarsham 1201. The ten-day Onam celebration from Atham to Thiruvonam includes Pookalam, Onasadya, Vallamkali, and Pulikali — Kerala’s greatest cultural festival of the year.
3. When is Guruvayur Ekadashi in 2026?
Guruvayur Ekadashi — the most sacred Ekadashi for Kerala’s Vaishnava community — falls on November 27, 2026, in the Vrischikam month. It coincides with the beginning of the Sabarimala Mandala season. Hundreds of thousands of devotees visit Guruvayur Temple on this day for special Puja and darshan.
4. Are there wedding Muhurtham dates in August and September 2026?
No. As per the Malayalam Calendar 2026, there are no auspicious Vivah Muhurtham dates from mid-July through October 2026 due to the Karkidakam month (devoted to Ramayana Masam) and the Chaturmas period. The next auspicious wedding window opens from November 21, 2026 onwards.
5. How can I download the Malayalam Calendar 2026 PDF for free?
The Malayalam Calendar 2026 PDF is available for free from official Malayalam Calendar websites. All 12 months are available separately for download with complete Panchang details including Tithi, Nakshatra, Rashi, Sunrise-Sunset timings, and festival information — completely free for personal use