Malayalam Calendar January 2026 - Complete Guide
Welcome to the comprehensive Malayalam Calendar for January 2026 (ജനുവരി 2026 മലയാളം കലണ്ടർ). This traditional Kerala calendar provides detailed information about Malayalam dates, festivals, nakshathram (നക്ഷത്രം), thithi (തിഥി), and auspicious days for the month of January 2026.
About Malayalam Calendar January 2026
January 2026 corresponds to Dhanu-Makaram months in the Malayalam calendar system. This month marks the beginning of the Gregorian new year while transitioning from Dhanu masam to Makaram masam in the traditional Kerala calendar. The month is significant as it includes important celebrations like New Year's Day and Republic Day.
Key Information:
📅 Kolla Varsham: 1201 | മലയാളം മാസം: ധനു - മകരം | രാശി: Dhanu - Makaram
Important Dates in January 2026
🎉 New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Malayalam Date: ധനു 17
Nakshathram: അനിഴം (Anizham)
Status: Public Holiday
🌟 Makaram 1
January 15, 2026
Malayalam Date: മകരം 1
Nakshathram: രോഹിണി (Rohini)
Significance: Beginning of Makaram month
🇮🇳 Republic Day
January 26, 2026
Malayalam Date: മകരം 12
Nakshathram: ചോതി (Chothi)
Status: National Holiday
Malayalam Months in January 2026
January 2026 spans two Malayalam months, making it a transitional period in the traditional calendar:
- Dhanu (ധനു) - From January 1 to January 14, 2026 (Dhanu 17 to Dhanu 30). This period corresponds to the Sagittarius zodiac sign.
- Makaram (മകരം) - From January 15 to January 31, 2026 (Makaram 1 to Makaram 17). This marks the beginning of Capricorn zodiac period.
Nakshathram Guide for January 2026
The Malayalam calendar includes detailed nakshathram (star) information for each day. Nakshathrams are important in Kerala's astrological tradition for determining auspicious times (muhurtham) for ceremonies, weddings, housewarming, and other significant events. Each day in January 2026 is marked with its corresponding nakshathram in Malayalam script, helping you plan important activities according to traditional wisdom.
Understanding nakshathrams is crucial for Kerala's cultural practices. The 27 nakshatrams cycle through the month, with each nakshathram having specific characteristics and influences. Families often consult the calendar to choose dates that align with favorable nakshatrams for important life events.
Features of This Malayalam Calendar
- Complete Malayalam dates (മലയാളം തീയതി) displayed alongside English dates for easy reference
- Daily Nakshathram (നക്ഷത്രം) information in authentic Malayalam script
- Festival and public holiday markings with distinct color coding system
- Kolla Varsham (കൊല്ലവർഷം) 1201 reference for traditional date tracking
- Rashi (രാശി) information showing the transition from Dhanu to Makaram
- Color-coded Sundays, holidays, and festival days for quick identification
- Bilingual content in Malayalam and English for accessibility
- Sidebar with quick month information and important dates summary
- Print-friendly design optimized for physical calendar usage
- Mobile-responsive layout that works perfectly on all devices
How to Use This Calendar
This Malayalam calendar is designed with user convenience in mind. Here's how to make the most of it:
- Each day cell displays both English and Malayalam dates side by side for easy cross-reference
- Sundays are highlighted with a distinctive pink gradient background
- Public holidays feature a yellow gradient background for immediate recognition
- Special festival days are marked with green gradient backgrounds
- Festival names appear in colored tags at the bottom of date cells
- Daily Nakshathram is shown in Malayalam script for astrological reference
- Use Previous/Next navigation buttons at the top to browse other months
- Refer to the sidebar for quick access to month details and important dates
- Download PDF versions for offline access and physical printing
Malayalam Calendar System (കൊല്ലവർഷം)
The traditional Malayalam calendar, also known as Kollavarsham (കൊല്ലവർഷം), is a solar calendar system predominantly used in Kerala. January 2026 corresponds to Kolla Varsham 1201. The Malayalam calendar era began in 825 CE, making it over 1200 years old.
Unlike lunar calendars, the Malayalam calendar is solar-based, making it more aligned with seasonal changes and agricultural cycles. This alignment has made it 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.
Each month in the Malayalam calendar corresponds to a zodiac sign (Rashi). January 2026 transitions from Dhanu Rashi (Sagittarius) to Makaram Rashi (Capricorn), marking an important astrological shift that influences various traditional practices and ceremonies.
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 January 2026, optimized for printing on standard A4 or Letter size paper
- High-resolution print-ready format with crystal-clear Malayalam fonts
- Comprehensive inclusion of all festivals, holidays, and nakshathram information
- Completely free to download, print, and share with family and friends
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, 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, and other spiritual practices at auspicious times
Understanding Nakshathram (നക്ഷത്രം)
Nakshathram, or lunar mansion, is a fundamental concept in Vedic astrology and the Malayalam calendar system. The sky is divided into 27 equal segments, each representing a nakshathram. Each day is associated with a specific nakshathram based on the moon's position.
The nakshathram at the time of birth (Janma Nakshathram) holds special significance in Kerala culture:
- Used for horoscope matching in marriage proposals (Jathaka Porutham)
- Determines the most auspicious times for important ceremonies and events
- Celebrated as birth star birthdays (Nakshathram Dinam), often considered more important than regular birthdays
- Guides religious offerings at temples on specific nakshathram days
- Influences personal characteristics and life path according to traditional beliefs
- Used in naming ceremonies to choose auspicious first letters for babies' names
Public Holidays in January 2026
January 2026 includes the following official public holidays observed in India and Kerala:
- January 1, 2026 (Thursday) - New Year's Day - Universal public holiday celebrated worldwide, marking the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. Malayalam date: ധനു 17
- January 26, 2026 (Monday) - Republic Day (ഗണതന്ത്ര ദിനം) - National holiday celebrating the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950. Malayalam date: മകരം 12
Special Features of January 2026
January 2026 has several notable aspects that make it significant in the Malayalam calendar:
- The month begins on a Thursday (വ്യാഴം), which is considered highly auspicious in Hindu tradition for new beginnings
- Mid-month transition from Dhanu to Makaram occurs on January 15, marking an important astrological shift
- Makaram 1 (മകരം 1) represents the sun's entry into Capricorn, a significant event in solar calendar traditions
- Contains four Sundays providing regular opportunities for weekly religious observances and family time
- Features a diverse range of nakshatrams throughout the month, offering various favorable periods for different activities
- The month balances two public holidays with working days, making it ideal for both celebration and productivity
💡 Pro Tip: Bookmark this page for easy access throughout January 2026. Use the navigation buttons to explore other months and plan your entire year according to the Malayalam calendar tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | പതിവുചോദ്യങ്ങൾ
What is the Malayalam date for January 1, 2026?
January 1, 2026 corresponds to Dhanu 17 (ധനു 17) in the Malayalam calendar. It is also New Year's Day, a public holiday celebrated worldwide. The nakshathram for this day is Anizham (അനിഴം). This day marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year while still being in the Dhanu month of the Malayalam calendar system.
When does Makaram month start in 2026?
Makaram month (മകരം മാസം) begins on January 15, 2026. This is also known as Makaram 1 and is an important date in the Malayalam calendar, marking the sun's transit into the Capricorn zodiac sign (Makara Rashi). The nakshathram on this day is Rohini (രോഹിണി). This transition is significant in Kerala's traditional calendar and is observed with various cultural practices.
What is Kolla Varsham (കൊല്ലവർഷം)?
Kolla Varsham (കൊല്ലവർഷം) is the Malayalam calendar era, which began in 825 CE. January 2026 falls in Kolla Varsham 1201. It is a solar calendar system traditionally used in Kerala for determining festival dates, agricultural activities, and auspicious occasions. The name "Kollam" comes from the town where this calendar system was established. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, Kolla Varsham follows the solar cycle and begins with the month of Chingam (usually August-September).
How many public holidays are there in January 2026?
There are 2 public holidays in January 2026: New Year's Day on January 1 (Dhanu 17, Thursday) and Republic Day on January 26 (Makaram 12, Monday). Additionally, there are 4 Sundays in January 2026 (4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th) which serve as weekly holidays. These holidays are marked with special color coding in the calendar for easy identification.
Can I download the Malayalam calendar PDF for free?
Yes, absolutely! We provide completely free downloadable PDF versions of both the full year Malayalam Calendar 2026 and individual monthly calendars. Use the download buttons in the PDF download section to get your preferred version. The PDFs are high-quality, print-ready formats that include all festivals, holidays, and nakshathram information in clear Malayalam fonts. You can print them on standard A4 or Letter size paper and share them freely with family and friends.
What is Nakshathram (നക്ഷത്രം) in Malayalam calendar?
Nakshathram (നക്ഷത്രം) refers to the lunar mansion or star constellation in Vedic astrology. There are 27 nakshatrams in total, and each day has a specific nakshathram based on the moon's position. Nakshatrams are important for determining auspicious times (muhurtham) for ceremonies, weddings, and other events in Kerala tradition. They are also used for horoscope matching, planning religious ceremonies, and celebrating birth star days (Janma Nakshathram). Each nakshathram has unique characteristics and influences according to traditional beliefs.
Which Malayalam months fall in January 2026?
January 2026 includes parts of two Malayalam months: Dhanu (ധനു) from January 1-14 (Dhanu 17 to Dhanu 30), and Makaram (മകരം) from January 15-31 (Makaram 1 to Makaram 17). The transition from Dhanu to Makaram occurs on January 15, which is an important date marking the sun's entry into Capricorn. This dual-month period makes January a transitional time in the Malayalam calendar.
Is this calendar suitable for printing?
Yes, definitely! This calendar is designed to be print-friendly with clear fonts, proper spacing, and optimized colors. You can print the webpage directly from your browser, or download the PDF version for superior print quality. The PDF version is specifically optimized for A4 and Letter size paper and includes all the important information in a clean, professional format. The colors are adjusted to print well while maintaining readability.
How do I navigate to other months' calendars?
You can easily navigate to other months using the "Previous" and "Next" buttons located at the top of the calendar header. The Previous button (←) takes you to December 2025 calendar, and the Next button (→) takes you to February 2026 calendar. This intuitive navigation system makes it easy to view the entire year's calendar month by month without returning to the main calendar page.
What do the different colors in the calendar mean?
The calendar uses three different color schemes for easy identification: Yellow gradient (സർക്കാർ അവധി) indicates public holidays like New Year and Republic Day; Green gradient (ഉത്സവ ദിവസം) marks festival days like Makaram 1; and Pink gradient (ഞായറാഴ്ച) highlights all Sundays. Each color coding helps you quickly identify special days at a glance. Check the color legend (വർണ്ണ സൂചിക) at the bottom of the calendar for quick reference.
Can I use this calendar for finding auspicious dates (Muhurtham)?
Yes, partially. This calendar includes daily nakshathram information which is essential for determining auspicious dates. You can use it as a reference for checking nakshatrams on specific days. However, for important ceremonies like weddings or housewarming (Griha Pravesham), it's recommended to consult with a traditional astrologer (Jyothisyan) who can provide personalized muhurtham based on individual horoscopes, planetary positions, and specific nakshathram combinations. The calendar provides the foundational information needed for such consultations.
What is the significance of Makaram 1 (മകരം 1)?
Makaram 1 (മകരം 1), which falls on January 15, 2026, marks the beginning of the Makaram month in the Malayalam calendar. It signifies the sun's entry into the Capricorn zodiac sign (Makara Rashi), known as Makara Sankranti in other parts of India. This is considered an important transition in the solar calendar and is observed in many parts of Kerala with traditional practices. The day is significant for agricultural activities and is considered auspicious for new beginnings. It's also celebrated as a harvest festival in many regions.
