Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | പതിവ് ചോദ്യങ്ങൾ
What Malayalam months are in March 2026?
March 2026 spans two Malayalam months: Kumbham (കുംഭം) from March 1-14 (Kumbham 17 to Kumbham 30) and Meenam (മീനം) from March 15-31 (Meenam 1 to Meenam 17). The transition from Kumbham to Meenam occurs on March 15, which is Meena Sankranti (മീനം സംക്രാന്തി), marking an important astrological event. This month represents the transition from Aquarius to Pisces zodiac signs and is significant for spring preparations and cultural celebrations.
What are the major festivals in March 2026?
March 2026 includes several important festivals: Poornami (പൗർണമി) on March 3, Holi (ഹോളി) on March 4 - the festival of colors, International Women's Day (ലോക വനിത ദിനം) on March 8, Meena Sankranti (മീനം സംക്രാന്തി) and Papamochani Ekadashi (പാപമോചനി ഏകാദശി) on March 15, St. Joseph's Feast Day (വി.യൗസേപ്പു പിതാവിന്റെ തിരുനാൾ) on March 19, Eid-ul-Fitr (ഈദ്-ഉൽ-ഫിത്ർ) on March 20, and Rama Navami (രാമ നവമി) on March 26. These dates are marked with special significance for religious and cultural observances.
When is Meena Sankranti in 2026?
Meena Sankranti (മീനം സംക്രാന്തി) falls on March 15, 2026 (Sunday). This astronomical event marks the sun's entry into the Pisces zodiac sign (Meena Rashi). The nakshathram on this day is Thiruvonam (തിരുവോണം). This transition is celebrated with special rituals, holy baths (സ്നാനം), charitable activities (ദാനം), and prayers in temples across Kerala. It's considered an excellent time for spiritual practices and starting new ventures.
When is Holi celebrated in 2026?
Holi (ഹോളി), the festival of colors, is celebrated on March 4, 2026 (Wednesday). This corresponds to Kumbham 20 (കുംഭം 20) in the Malayalam calendar. The nakshathram is Pooram (പൂരം). Holi celebrates the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. People celebrate by playing with colors, sharing sweets, and participating in community gatherings. The day before Holi is Holika Dahan, when bonfires are lit.
How many public holidays are in March 2026?
March 2026 has 5 Sundays (1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th) which serve as weekly holidays. Holi on March 4 (Wednesday) and Eid-ul-Fitr on March 20 (Friday) are observed as public holidays in many parts of India including Kerala. Depending on the state and community, other days like Rama Navami may also be observed as restricted holidays. Many educational institutions and offices observe special timings during these festival days.
What is the significance of Rama Navami?
Rama Navami (രാമ നവമി) on March 26, 2026 celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. This festival falls on Meenam 12 (മീനം 12) with Thiruvathira nakshathram (തിരുവാതിര). Devotees observe fasts, visit Ram temples, recite the Ramayana, and perform special pujas. The festival emphasizes the values of dharma (righteousness), truth, and devotion. Major temples conduct elaborate celebrations with bhajans, kirtans, and reenactments of Rama's life events.
🌸 Malayalam Calendar March 2026 - Complete Guide
Welcome to the comprehensive Malayalam Calendar for March 2026 (മാർച്ച് 2026 മലയാളം കലണ്ടർ), your trusted companion for staying connected with Kerala's rich cultural heritage, traditional festivals, and auspicious dates. This digital calendar provides complete information about Malayalam dates, nakshathrams, festivals, and holidays for March 2026, corresponding to Kolla Varsham 1201.
March 2026 Malayalam Month Overview
March 2026 is a significant month that bridges two Malayalam months and zodiac signs:
- Kumbham (കുംഭം) - From March 1 to March 14, 2026 (Kumbham 17 to Kumbham 30). This period completes the Aquarius zodiac sign and is associated with spring preparations, agricultural activities, and cultural celebrations.
- Meenam (മീനം) - From March 15 to March 31, 2026 (Meenam 1 to Meenam 17). This marks the Pisces zodiac period and is traditionally known for spiritual practices, temple festivals, and preparing for the new year (Vishu in April).
Major Festivals and Celebrations in March 2026
1. Poornami (പൗർണമി) - March 3, 2026
Poornami or full moon day falls on Kumbham 19 with Makam nakshathram. This is an auspicious day for temple visits, special prayers, and charitable activities. Many devotees observe fasts and perform rituals dedicated to various deities. The full moon is considered highly favorable for spiritual practices and meditation.
2. Holi (ഹോളി) - March 4, 2026
Holi, the vibrant festival of colors, is celebrated on Kumbham 20 with Pooram nakshathram. This festival marks the victory of good over evil and celebrates the arrival of spring. People gather to play with colors, share traditional sweets like gujiya and thandai, sing festive songs, and strengthen community bonds. The evening before Holi, known as Holika Dahan, involves lighting bonfires to symbolize the burning of evil.
3. International Women's Day (ലോക വനിത ദിനം) - March 8, 2026
Celebrated globally on March 8, this day honors women's achievements and advocates for gender equality. In Kerala, special programs are organized in educational institutions, workplaces, and community centers to celebrate women's contributions to society. Cultural events, seminars, and awareness programs highlight women's empowerment themes.
4. Bank Holiday - March 14, 2026
Banks across Kerala observe a scheduled holiday on this date. It's advisable to plan financial transactions accordingly.
5. Meena Sankranti & Papamochani Ekadashi - March 15, 2026
This special day combines two significant observances. Meena Sankranti marks the sun's entry into Pisces, celebrated with holy baths, prayers, and rituals. Papamochani Ekadashi is a sacred day for Lord Vishnu worship, believed to cleanse sins and bring spiritual merit. Devotees observe fasts and visit Vishnu temples for special prayers and abhishekams.
6. St. Joseph's Feast Day - March 19, 2026
The feast of St. Joseph, patron saint of the Universal Church and protector of families, is celebrated with special masses and prayers in Catholic churches across Kerala. This day honors St. Joseph's role as the foster father of Jesus and his virtues of faith, obedience, and dedication to family.
7. Eid-ul-Fitr (ഈദ്-ഉൽ-ഫിത്ർ) - March 20, 2026
Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Muslims celebrate with special prayers (Eid Namaz), festive meals, giving to charity (Zakat al-Fitr), and wearing new clothes. Families gather to share traditional delicacies like biriyani, payasam, and various savories. The celebration emphasizes gratitude, community bonding, and compassion for the less fortunate.
8. Rama Navami (രാമ നവമി) - March 26, 2026
Rama Navami celebrates Lord Rama's birth, falling on Meenam 12 with Thiruvathira nakshathram. Devotees perform special pujas, recite the Ramayana, sing bhajans, and observe fasts. Major temples conduct elaborate celebrations with processions, cultural programs, and distribution of prasadam. The festival emphasizes the values of dharma, righteousness, and devotion exemplified by Lord Rama's life.
Understanding Nakshathram (നക്ഷത്രം) in March 2026
The Malayalam calendar includes detailed nakshathram (നക്ഷത്രം) or star information for each day. Nakshatrams are fundamental to Kerala's astrological tradition for determining auspicious times (muhurtham) for ceremonies, weddings, housewarming, thread ceremonies, business inaugurations, and other significant life events.
Each day in March 2026 is marked with its corresponding nakshathram in authentic Malayalam script, helping you plan important activities according to traditional wisdom. The 27 nakshatrams cycle through the month continuously, with each nakshathram lasting approximately 13 hours and 20 minutes.
Special Features of This Calendar
- Bilingual Display: Complete Malayalam dates (മലയാളം തീയതി) displayed alongside English dates for easy cross-reference and accessibility
- Daily Nakshathram: Authentic Malayalam script showing nakshathram (നക്ഷത്രം) information for each day, essential for muhurtham selection
- Festival Marking: All major Kerala festivals, religious observances, and public holidays clearly marked with color-coded system
- Kolla Varsham Reference: Traditional കൊല്ലവർഷം 1201 dating system included for cultural authenticity
- Rashi Information: Zodiac sign (രാശി) details showing the transition from Kumbham to Meenam
- Color-Coded System: Distinct colors for Sundays (pink), holidays (yellow), and festivals (green) for instant recognition
- Mobile Responsive: Fully optimized design that works perfectly on smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers
- Print-Friendly Format: Calendar can be printed directly or downloaded as PDF for physical reference
- Navigation System: Easy Previous/Next buttons to browse between months seamlessly
How to Use This Malayalam Calendar
This calendar is designed with maximum user convenience and traditional accuracy in mind:
- Date Reference: Each day cell displays both English and Malayalam dates side by side for instant comparison
- Sunday Identification: Sundays are highlighted with a distinctive pink gradient background for easy weekly planning
- Holiday Recognition: Public holidays feature a yellow gradient background for immediate identification
- Festival Days: Special festival days are marked with green gradient backgrounds and festival names in Malayalam
- Nakshathram Lookup: Daily nakshathram is shown in Malayalam script below each date for astrological reference
- Navigation: Use Previous (February) and Next (April) buttons at the top to seamlessly browse other months
- PDF Download: Download button provides offline access and high-quality printable versions
- Mobile Access: Fully responsive design ensures perfect viewing on all devices, from smartphones to large desktop screens
The Malayalam Calendar System (കൊല്ലവർഷം)
The traditional Malayalam calendar, also known as Kollavarsham (കൊല്ലവർഷം), is a solar calendar system predominantly used in Kerala and by Malayalam-speaking communities worldwide. March 2026 corresponds to Kolla Varsham 1201.
The Malayalam calendar era began in 825 CE, making it over 1200 years old. The name "Kollam" derives from the historic port city of Kollam (formerly Quilon) in Kerala, where this calendar system was established. Unlike lunar calendars that follow moon phases, the Malayalam calendar is solar-based, making it more aligned with seasonal changes and agricultural cycles.
This solar alignment has made the Malayalam calendar invaluable for Kerala's farming communities throughout history. The calendar year begins with Chingam (ചിങ്ങം), which typically falls in August-September, coinciding with the harvest festival of Onam.
Why Use Malayalam Calendar?
The Malayalam calendar serves essential purposes for Kerala residents and Malayalam-speaking communities worldwide:
- Traditional Festivals: Essential for planning and celebrating Kerala festivals like Onam, Vishu, Thiruvathira, Navaratri, and numerous temple festivals throughout the year
- Auspicious Dates (Muhurtham): Critical for determining favorable times for weddings (കല്യാണം), housewarming ceremonies (ഗൃഹപ്രവേശം), business inaugurations, vehicle purchases, and other important life events
- Religious Observances: Tracking temple festival dates, Ekadasi days, Pradosham, Shivaratri, and other sacred observances according to traditional timings
- Agricultural Planning: Traditional farming communities rely on the Malayalam calendar for optimal planting and harvesting times based on centuries of accumulated wisdom
- Cultural Events: Celebrating regional festivals, art performances (Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Theyyam), and cultural events specific to Kerala's rich heritage
- Astrological Consultations: Nakshathram-based horoscope reading, matching for marriages (ജാതകപൊരുത്തം), and personalized astrological guidance
- Birth Star Celebrations: Keeping track of birthdays according to Malayalam calendar and celebrating Janma Nakshathram (birth star) days
- Ritual Planning: Scheduling pujas, vratham (fasting days), ancestor worship (Balitharpanam), and other spiritual practices at auspicious times
Malayalam Calendar for Malayalees Outside Kerala
For the millions of Malayalees living outside Kerala - whether in other Indian states or abroad in countries like the UAE, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere - this digital Malayalam calendar serves as an invaluable connection to home and heritage:
- Stay connected with Kerala traditions and cultural heritage wherever you are in the world
- Plan celebrations and observances according to traditional dates and nakshathrams
- Teach younger generations about Malayalam calendar system, festivals, and cultural practices
- Coordinate with family in Kerala for important ceremonies and events using accurate dates
- Maintain cultural identity through traditional calendar observance and festival celebrations
- Access anytime, anywhere with mobile-friendly design and downloadable PDFs
- Share with friends and family to keep everyone connected to their roots
Download Options
We provide free, high-quality downloadable PDF versions of the Malayalam calendar for your convenience:
- Full Year PDF - Complete Malayalam Calendar 2026 featuring all 12 months in a single comprehensive file, perfect for annual planning and reference
- Monthly PDF - Individual month calendar for March 2026, optimized for printing on standard A4 or Letter size paper
- High-resolution print-ready format with crystal-clear Malayalam fonts for excellent readability
- Comprehensive inclusion of all festivals, holidays, and nakshathram information
- Completely free to download, print, and share with family and friends
- Compatible with all devices and PDF readers
Additional Resources
Explore more Malayalam calendar resources on our website:
- Complete Malayalam Calendar 2026 with all 12 months in detailed format
- Individual monthly calendars: January, February, April through December 2026
- Festival guide with detailed information about Kerala celebrations, rituals, and significance
- Nakshathram guide with characteristics, ruling deities, and significance of each star
- Muhurtham calculator for auspicious time selection for various ceremonies
- Daily Panchangam with detailed astrological information for each day
- Rashi Phalam (horoscope predictions) based on Malayalam calendar system
- Traditional Kerala recipes for festival preparation
- Cultural insights into Kerala's rich heritage and traditions
Stay tuned to our website for more updates, festival guides, traditional recipes, cultural insights, and authentic Malayalam calendar resources. May this Malayalam Calendar March 2026 bring prosperity, health, happiness, and divine blessings to your life! 🙏
മാർച്ച് 2026 നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ഐശ്വര്യവും സമൃദ്ധിയും നൽകട്ടെ!
May March 2026 bring you prosperity and abundance!
