Malayalam calendar · Thiruvananthapuram
Malayalam New Year 2026 — Chingam 1
The Malayalam New Year, Chingam 1, is on 17 August 2026 (Thiruvananthapuram): Kollam year 1202 begins.
ചിങ്ങം ഒന്ന് 2026
Chingam 1, 2026
- Date
- 17 August 2026ചിങ്ങം 1 · Chingam 1
- Year that begins
- Kollam era 1202Previous year: 1201
- Simha sankramam (Sun enters Leo)
- 17 Aug 2026, 7:58 AM
- Vishu 2026
- 15 April 2026Medam 2
This year the Sun enters Leo within the first three fifths of daylight (or in the night before), so Chingam begins on this date.
Festivals of Chingam
- 25 AugTuesdayഉത്രാടം · Uthradom (First Onam)
- 26 AugWednesdayതിരുവോണം · Thiruvonam (Onam)
- 4 SepFridayഅഷ്ടമിരോഹിണി · Ashtami Rohini (Sri Krishna Jayanthi)
- 14 SepMondayവിനായക ചതുർത്ഥി · Vinayaka Chathurthi
How the day is kept
Chingam 1 opens the Kollam year and the month of Onam. After the lean, rain-heavy month of Karkidakam, the harvest season begins; Kerala marks it as Karshaka Dinam, Farmers' Day, and many homes and temples hold special pujas.
Within the month comes Atham, when the first pookalam (flower carpet) is laid, and ten days later Thiruvonam, the day of the Onasadya feast. Chingam is also a favoured month for weddings and new beginnings.
Many in Kerala greet the year at Vishu as well — the first sunrise after the Sun enters Mesha in April — with the Vishukkani and Vishukkaineettam. Both are new years: Chingam 1 of the era, Vishu of the solar cycle.
Questions
What is the date of the Malayalam New Year in 2026?
17 August 2026 — Chingam 1, by Kerala's month rule for Thiruvananthapuram.
When is the Chingam sankramam in 2026?
The Sun enters sidereal Leo at 17 Aug 2026, 7:58 AM (IST). That is within the first three fifths of daylight (or in the night before), so Chingam begins on that date.
What is Kollam year 1202?
The Kollam era (Kolla varsham) is Kerala's era; from Chingam 1 to December it is the Common Era year minus 824. The previous year was 1201.
How is this different from Vishu?
The era turns on Chingam 1; Vishu opens the solar year — the first sunrise after the Sun enters Aries (this year 15 April 2026, Medam 2).