Mahamagha Mahotsavam concludes

Kozhikode: The Mahamagha Mahotsavam being held on the banks of Nila at Thirunavaya in Malappuram concluded on Tuesday. The festival billed as the Kumbh Mela of Kerala had seen huge influx of people during the 17 days. On Tuesday morning, thousands of devotees, including Naga sadhus, took part in the ‘amrita snanam' (holy dip) in the Bharathapuzha. This was followed by the bhandara ceremony, during which food, clothing, and offerings are presented to the sadhus. Parashurama puja and yati puja were also held on Tuesday morning. The festival concluded in the evening with the Nila aarti. According to the organizers, more than two million devotees participated in the festival this year. Mahamandaleshwar swami Anandavan Bharati, said that the next Kumbh Mela will be held from Pausha Pournami to Shivaratri in 2027, lasting about 45 days. A Maha Kumbh Mela is also scheduled to be held at Thirunavaya in 2028.The festival inaugurated by governor Rajendra Arlekar on Jan 18 witnessed significant spiritual congregation featuring yajnas, Vedic chanting, rituals, spiritual discourses and cultural programmes. The serving of a stop memo by Malappuram revenue authorities halting the preparatory works being carried out in the Bharatapuzha river citing violations of Kerala River Protection Act 2001 had sparked off a controversy.