The Mahamagha Mahotsavam, which is described as the Kumbh Mela of Kerala, has begun on the banks of the Bharathapuzha (Nila River) at Thirunavaya in Malappuram on Monday morning amid an atmosphere filled with the chanting of Vedic mantras. The ceremonies began with the hoisting of the Dharma Dhwajarohanam by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
Devotees from across Kerala and other parts of the country participated in the ceremonies. The ceremony was conducted under the guidance of Swami Abhinava Balananda Bhairava. The function was attended by Mahamagha Sabha Chairman Mahamandaleshwar Swami Anandavanam Bharathi Maharaj, Mohanji Foundation Chairman Mohanji, Working Chairman K Damodaran, Chief Coordinator K Keshavadas, Zamorin family member K C Dilip Raja, Arikkara Sudhir Namboothiri, and others. At 9 am, the first bath of the Mahamagha Mahotsavam was held at the Navamukunda temple bathing ghat under the leadership of Mahamandaleshwar Swami Anandavanam Bharathi Maharaj.
On Friday, the Veerasadhana ritual of the Pitrayana was held under the leadership of Acharya Ayyanippulli Vaishakh. The Mahamagha Mahotsavam will continue until February 3.
Addressing the gathering, after hoisting the Dharma Dhwajarohanam, Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar said that the resumption of the Mahamagha festival on the banks of the Nila River is like Lord Rama returning to Ayodhya. “The Dharma flag is a symbol of our Sanatana lineage. It is a great blessing to be able to hoist the Dharma flag here,” the Governor said.
He said the Mahamagha festival is not new. ”It is a symbol of the Sanatana series. It was stopped during the colonial rule. The noble karma has been resumed here. It is not known where Sanatana Dharma started or where it will end,” Governor Arlekar said.
He said, “India has the tradition of assimilating everyone who comes to it, and that is the greatness of our land; we have the tradition of conquering the hearts, not the land.”
Quoting a poem of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Governor said, ”This celebration is not against anyone. India has not gone to conquer anyone. We have conquered the hearts of the people, not the land. That is the speciality of our culture.”
Highlighting the contributions of Kerala towards the principles and philosophy of Dharma, Governor Arlekar said, “Right from Adi Sankara to Sree Narayana Guru. We have always taught others Dharma, how to behave with others, and how to have good relations with others,” he added.
Mahamagham Sabha President Mahamandaleshwar Swami Anandavanam Bharathi said the Mahamagha Mahotsavam, described as the Kumbh Mela of Southern Bharat, the ancient Hindu dharmic festival, had ceased nearly 250 years ago following British intervention and is now being revived in its traditional form.