Malayalam Calendar 2026 November: is a busy month on the Malayalam calendar. It opens in the last stretch of Thulam, carries Deepavali in its second week, and turns into Vrischikam on November 17, the day the Mandalakalam pilgrimage season begins at Sabarimala.
This guide gives you the Malayalam calendar for November 2026 in plain English. You will find the Malayalam month for every date, the major festivals, Ekadashi, Pradosham and Sankashti fasting days, and Kerala events such as Kerala Piravi, Kalpathi Ratholsavam and Guruvayur Ekadasi. All dates follow Indian Standard Time. Some calendars differ by a day, and a later section explains why.
Quick answer: In November 2026 the Malayalam calendar runs through two months. Thulam covers November 1 to 16, and Vrischikam begins on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. The whole month falls in Kollavarsham year 1202. The biggest dates are Deepavali on Sunday, November 8, Vrischikam 1 and the start of the Mandalakalam on Tuesday, November 17, Guruvayur Ekadasi on Saturday, November 21, and Kartika Purnima on Tuesday, November 24.
November 2026 Malayalam Calendar at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gregorian month | November 2026 (30 days) |
| First day | Sunday, November 1 |
| Last day | Monday, November 30 |
| Malayalam months | Thulam (November 1 to 16), Vrischikam (November 17 to 30) |
| Kollavarsham year | 1202 |
| Vrischika Sankranti (Sun enters Scorpio) | Monday, November 16, late evening |
| Vrischikam 1 | Tuesday, November 17 |
| Vrischikam 14 | Monday, November 30 |
| New moon (Amavasya) | Monday, November 9 |
| Full moon (Purnima) | Tuesday, November 24 |
Malayalam Months in November 2026
The Malayalam calendar is also called the Kollavarsham or Kollam Era. It is a solar calendar, so each month begins when the Sun enters a new zodiac sign. The year number changes at Chingam 1 in August, not on January 1. That is why every date in November 2026 belongs to year 1202.
| English dates | Malayalam month | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| November 1 to 16 | Thulam | Last part of the month, which started in October |
| November 17 to 30 | Vrischikam | First 14 days of the month, starting with Vrischikam 1 on November 17 |
Vrischikam is a month of devotion in Kerala. It brings the Mandalakalam season, the Thrikarthika lamp festival and a long run of temple celebrations.
November 2026 Malayalam Calendar PDF and Image
[Insert your November 2026 calendar image here. Suggested alt text: “November 2026 Malayalam calendar showing Thulam and Vrischikam dates with festivals.”]
November 2026 Malayalam Calendar: Festival List
This table lists the main festivals and observances. Some are celebrated across India, and some are specific to Kerala.
| Date | Day | Festival or observance |
|---|---|---|
| November 1 | Sunday | Kerala Piravi (Kerala Formation Day) |
| November 2 | Monday | Parumala Perunnal, church feast at Parumala, Pathanamthitta |
| November 2 to 3 | Monday to Tuesday | Mannarasala Ayilyam, Nagaraja Temple, Alappuzha |
| November 5 | Thursday | Rama Ekadashi, fasting day for Lord Vishnu |
| November 6 | Friday | Dhanteras and Pradosham |
| November 7 | Saturday | Masik Shivaratri and Kali Chaudas (Choti Diwali) |
| November 8 | Sunday | Deepavali (Diwali), Lakshmi Puja, Naraka Chaturdashi |
| November 9 | Monday | Kartika Amavasya (new moon) |
| November 10 | Tuesday | Govardhan Puja |
| November 11 | Wednesday | Bhai Dooj |
| November 14 to 16 | Saturday to Monday | Kalpathi Ratholsavam, Palakkad |
| November 15 | Sunday | Chhath Puja main day |
| November 16 | Monday | Vrischika Sankranti (late evening); Sabarimala temple expected to open in the evening |
| November 17 | Tuesday | Vrischikam 1 and the start of the Mandalakalam |
| November 20 | Friday | Devuthani (Prabodhini) Ekadashi |
| November 21 | Saturday | Guruvayur Ekadasi |
| November 22 | Sunday | Pradosham |
| November 24 | Tuesday | Kartika Purnima, Thrikarthika, Karthigai Deepam |
| November 27 | Friday | Sankashti Chaturthi |
Some dates move by a day depending on the calendar and the city. Devuthani Ekadashi, for example, is listed on November 20 by most calendars, while some Vaishnava traditions observe it on November 21. Thrikarthika and Karthigai Deepam are listed on November 23 or 24. When a festival matters to you, confirm the day with your local temple or church.
Vrischikam 1 and the Mandalakalam Season
Vrischikam 1 is the most important date of the month for many families in Kerala. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, November 17. It marks the start of the Mandalakalam, a 41-day period of fasting and prayer observed by devotees of Lord Ayyappa.
Many devotees begin the vratham on this day. They wear a mala, follow a simple vegetarian diet and prepare for the pilgrimage to Sabarimala. Counting 41 days from November 17 brings the Mandala Pooja to around December 27, 2026.
The Sabarimala temple traditionally opens on the evening before Vrischikam 1. That points to the evening of Monday, November 16. The opening date and the pilgrimage rules are announced by the Travancore Devaswom Board. Check its notices before you plan travel, because the schedule for this season may be updated closer to the date.
Ekadashi, Pradosham, Sankashti and Moon-Phase Days
Many people use the Malayalam calendar mainly to track fasting days. These are the vrat and moon-phase days for November 2026.
| Observance | Date | Day | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rama Ekadashi | November 5 | Thursday | Fasting day for Lord Vishnu |
| Pradosham (Krishna Paksha) | November 6 | Friday | Evening worship of Lord Shiva |
| Masik Shivaratri | November 7 | Saturday | Monthly Shiva observance |
| Amavasya | November 9 | Monday | New moon day |
| Devuthani Ekadashi | November 20 | Friday | Marks the end of Chaturmas |
| Guruvayur Ekadasi | November 21 | Saturday | Major day at Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple |
| Pradosham (Shukla Paksha) | November 22 | Sunday | Evening worship of Lord Shiva |
| Purnima | November 24 | Tuesday | Full moon day |
| Sankashti Chaturthi | November 27 | Friday | Fasting day for Lord Ganesha; moonrise is around 8:45 PM in many listings |
Moonrise and tithi timings change from city to city. If you keep a strict fast, check the exact times for your own town in a local panchangam.
Deepavali Week in November 2026
Deepavali falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The surrounding days form a five-day cluster.
- November 6, Friday: Dhanteras. Many families buy a small item of gold, silver or a new utensil.
- November 7, Saturday: Kali Chaudas, also called Choti Diwali.
- November 8, Sunday: Deepavali and Lakshmi Puja. Homes and shops are lit with lamps.
- November 10, Tuesday: Govardhan Puja.
- November 11, Wednesday: Bhai Dooj, a day that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
In Kerala, Deepavali is marked with lamps, sweets and temple visits. It is not celebrated on the same scale as Onam or Vishu, but it is widely observed in cities and in communities with strong ties to other parts of India. Check the Kerala government holiday list to see whether your office or school is closed.
Kerala Events to Watch in November 2026
- Kerala Piravi (November 1): Kerala was formed as a state on November 1, 1956. Schools, offices and cultural groups hold events across the state.
- Parumala Perunnal (November 2): A major feast at Parumala Church in Pathanamthitta, in honor of St. Gregorios of Parumala. Pilgrims travel from many districts.
- Mannarasala Ayilyam (November 2 to 3): A three-day festival at the Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple in Haripad, Alappuzha. The Ayilyam star runs from the morning of November 2 to the early morning of November 3. The temple announces the main ritual day.
- Kalpathi Ratholsavam (November 14 to 16): The chariot festival at the Viswanathaswamy Temple in the heritage village of Kalpathi, Palakkad.
- Guruvayur Ekadasi (November 21): One of the most important days of the year at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple in Thrissur.
- President’s Trophy Boat Race (November 21): Listed in the Kerala Tourism festival calendar at Ashtamudi Backwaters, Kollam.
- Thrikarthika (around November 24): The festival of lamps. Homes and temples light rows of oil lamps in the evening.
Local church feasts and temple festivals, including the Vettucaud Perunnal in Thiruvananthapuram, are usually held in mid to late November. Each institution announces its own dates, so use the notice board or website of your local church or temple.
Why Malayalam Calendar Dates Can Differ by a Day
If you compare two November 2026 calendars, you may see small differences. This is normal. There are three common reasons.
- The Sankranti rule. A Malayalam month starts when the Sun enters a new sign. In 2026 the Sun enters Scorpio late on the evening of November 16. When the Sun enters a sign late in the day, the new month begins on the next day. That is why the Sankranti is on November 16, but Vrischikam 1 is on November 17. Some calendars print the Sankranti date as the first day of the month, which creates a one-day gap.
- Tithi and star timing. A tithi (lunar day) or nakshatra (star) can begin in the middle of a day. Calendars choose different rules for which day owns a festival.
- Location. Panchangam times are calculated for a specific place. A calendar made for a city outside India can show a date that differs from a calendar made for Kerala.
For Kerala, use a calendar calculated for Indian Standard Time and Kerala’s own convention. For a family ritual, ask your temple priest or astrologer to confirm the day.
FAQs About the Malayalam Calendar for November 2026
Which Malayalam month is November 2026? November 2026 covers two Malayalam months. Thulam runs from November 1 to 16, and Vrischikam runs from November 17 to 30.
When does Vrischikam start in 2026? Vrischikam 1 is on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. The Sun enters Scorpio late in the evening of November 16, so the month begins the next day.
Which Kollavarsham year is November 2026? Kollavarsham year 1202. The year changes in August at Chingam 1.
When is Deepavali in 2026? Deepavali is on Sunday, November 8, 2026, with Dhanteras on November 6 and Bhai Dooj on November 11.
When does the Mandalakalam season begin in 2026? The Mandalakalam begins on Vrischikam 1, Tuesday, November 17, 2026. The Sabarimala temple is expected to open on the evening of November 16.
When is Guruvayur Ekadasi in 2026? Guruvayur Ekadasi is on Saturday, November 21, 2026.
When is Kartika Purnima in 2026? Kartika Purnima is on Tuesday, November 24, 2026. Thrikarthika and Karthigai Deepam are linked to the same period.
When is Sankashti Chaturthi in November 2026? Friday, November 27, 2026.
Why do two Malayalam calendars show different dates? Calendars use different rules for Sankranti timing, tithi timing and location. A one-day gap is common. Confirm important dates with your local temple.
Final Thoughts
November 2026 moves from the festivals of late Thulam into the devotional season of Vrischikam. The dates to remember are Deepavali on November 8, Vrischikam 1 on November 17, Guruvayur Ekadasi on November 21 and Kartika Purnima on November 24. Save this page, check your local temple for the final word on ritual dates, and use the tables above to plan the month ahead.