THIRUNAVAYA, Jan 31 : The Mahamagha Mahotsavam, which is described as the Kumbh Mela of Kerala, being held on the banks of Bharathapuzha (Nila river) at Thirunavaya in Malappuram, has been drawing lakhs of devotees since it began on January 18.
Organizers say more than three-and-a-half lakh people are participating in the Kumbh Mela every day. Rajesh Verma of the Mohanji Foundation, which is coordinating the event, said more people are expected to attend as the event enters its final phase.
Varma said besides Kerala, devotees from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and north India are also coming to participate in the religious event. Special stops have been assigned for trains at stations nearby like Kuttipuram and Tirur, he said.
The Mohanji Foundation, along with the Thirunavaya Kumbh Mela Mahamagha Committee and Mata Amritanandamayi Math, is assisting the Varanasi-headquartered Juna Akhada in organising the cultural congregation, 250 years after it was last held.
The event marks a return of traditional, spiritual practices, involving holy dips in the Nila river, Nila arati (ritual fire offerings), and, chanting of the Vedas.
The Mahotsavam is described as a homecoming of faith for local Hindus, featuring participation from sadhus and devotees from across India. To mark the revival, Pandits from Varanasi were engaged to conduct the daily ‘aarti’, fostering a connection between local Kerala traditions and broader Indian spiritual practices.
The event focuses on celebrating the “inclusivity” of Hindu tradition by honouring various community rituals, including those of the Paniya and Kattunayakan communities, alongside traditional Brahmin rites.
The rituals of all these communities have been included in the event, which is regarded as one of Kerala’s most sacred Hindu congregations.
The rituals of the the Mahamagham are not limited to Brahmanical practices alone, deep-rooted Dravidian spiritual practices are also being performed.
The organizers said that Naga sanyasis from ashrams in Kashi and Varanasi are also expected to be a part of the Kumbh Mela as the ceremonies are set to conclude on February 3. The Naga monks are expected to reach Thirunavaya by February 2. The organizers believe that their presence will bring more devotees to the Kumbh Mela.
The Naga sanyasis are expected to take to take holy dips in the Bharathapuzha river. Mahamandaleshwar Swami Anandavanam Bharathi said the ancient Hindu dharmic festival had ceased nearly 250 years ago following British intervention and is now being revived in its traditional form.
According to legends, the first sacrificial rite (yajna) for the welfare of the world was performed by Parashurama on the banks of the Bharathapuzha at Thirunavaya, called Tapasunur, now known as Thavunur.
(UNI)
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