Vishu 2026: Kerala New Year Date and Bank Holiday Details

Vishu 2026, the Malayalam New Year celebrated across Kerala, falls on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, as per the official Kerala Government Gazette notification. The astronomical Sankranti moment, when the sun enters Mesha Rashi, actually occurs on 14 April, which is why some almanacs list Vishu a day earlier; the state government's confirmed public and bank holiday, however, is 15 April 2026. Banks, government offices, and most businesses in Kerala remain closed on this day, so it helps to plan festive shopping, travel, and any urgent money needs in advance.

Looking for Vishu 2025 dates? Vishu 2025 was observed on 14 April. This page covers the confirmed Vishu 2026 date and Kerala holiday calendar.

When Is Vishu 2026 and What Does It Mark?

Vishu marks the first day of Medam, the first month of the traditional Malayalam solar calendar, and is widely regarded as Kerala's astrological new year. The word Vishu comes from the Sanskrit term for "equal," referencing the near-equal length of day and night around this time. The most important ritual is the Vishukkani, an auspicious arrangement of fruits, grains, gold, a lit lamp, and an idol of Lord Krishna that family members view first thing at dawn, believed to set the tone of prosperity for the year ahead. Elders also give money to younger family members as Vishukkaineetam, and the day closes with an elaborate vegetarian feast, the Vishu Sadya, served on a banana leaf.

Vishu 2026 Date: Kerala Public Holiday Details

Date | Day | Holiday | Region
14 April 2026 | Tuesday | Dr B.R. Ambedkar Jayanthi | Kerala (separate gazetted holiday)
15 April 2026 | Wednesday | Vishu | Kerala, Tulu Nadu, and parts of coastal Karnataka

Note: 2026 brings a rare back-to-back holiday stretch in Kerala, with Ambedkar Jayanthi on 14 April followed immediately by Vishu on 15 April, giving many salaried employees a natural two-day break.

Is Vishu a Bank Holiday in Kerala in 2026?

Date | Day | Holiday | Bank Closure Status
14 April 2026 | Tuesday | Dr B.R. Ambedkar Jayanthi | Banks closed in Kerala
15 April 2026 | Wednesday | Vishu | Banks closed in Kerala under the RBI's Negotiable Instruments Act holiday list
18 April 2026 | Saturday | 2nd Saturday | Banks closed nationwide

With Vishu falling midweek and close to a Saturday holiday in 2026, Kerala residents should plan branch-dependent banking tasks either before 14 April or after 18 April.

Vishu week often brings extra spending, on new clothes, gifts for Vishukkaineetam, festive travel, or the Sadya spread, right when your bank branch is closed for two days straight. CreditMitra offers short-term personal loans that you can apply for online and use to smooth out festive cash flow, without waiting for the branch to reopen.

What Works and What Doesn't on Vishu Bank Holiday

Service | Available on Vishu?
UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, BHIM) | Yes, 24/7
IMPS transfers | Yes, 24/7
NEFT transfers | Yes, 24/7
ATM withdrawals | Yes, 24/7
Mobile and internet banking | Yes
RTGS transfers | No, resumes next working day
Cheque clearance (CTS) | No, resumes next working day
Branch services (cash deposit, DD, documents) | No, branch closed
NACH EMI auto-debit | Processed on the next working day if due date falls on Vishu

What Happens If Your EMI Is Due on Vishu?

If your personal loan, gold loan, or credit card EMI due date falls on 14 or 15 April 2026, the NACH auto-debit is typically processed on the next working day rather than being skipped altogether. This is a routine processing delay and is not automatically treated as a missed payment. That said, your account still needs enough balance on the day the debit actually goes through; if it fails due to insufficient funds, it can be reported as a default and may affect your CIBIL score. It is a good idea to keep your EMI amount ready in your account from the last working day before the holiday stretch begins.

Vishu Travel and Festive Planning

Vishu is one of the busiest travel periods in Kerala, with families returning home from across India and abroad to view the Vishukkani together. If you are travelling for Vishu, hosting relatives, or planning the Sadya feast and gifting, it is worth arranging any short-term funds you might need, whether for travel, shopping, or Vishukkaineetam, before the holiday begins, since your bank branch will be shut on the day itself.

Need quick funds to cover Vishu travel, shopping, or gifting? CreditMitra's short-term personal loans are designed for exactly this kind of festive, time-sensitive need, with a fully online application and fast disbursal, so a bank holiday doesn't have to slow you down.