Makhamagha Mahotsavam (January 18 to February 3) at Tirunnavaya, on the banks of the Bharathappuzha, also known as the Nila River, has concluded. It marked the revival of a ceremony and ritual whose origins date back to 113 BC. The Ulsav(festival) was revived in a modest manner in 2006. Tirur Dinesh, a renowned author and respected cultural activist, told Organiser that hardly 25 devotees attended the Ulsav in 2006. The number of participants increased year after year.
The noble and active presence of Juna Akhada Mahamandaleswar Swami Anandavanam Bharati, Swami Chidananda Puri of Kolathur Advaithashram, Swami Shakthi Saradananda Maharshi of Chenkottukonam Sreeramadas Ashram, and the divine blessings of Matha Amrithanandamayi Devi made this year’s Ulsav an unforgettable and legendary event.
It appeared like a miniature version of the Makhamagha Kumbh Mela held in Prayagraj in 2025. While about four lakh Keralites participated in the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, attendance at the Tirunnavaya Ulsav exceeded 25 lakh.
Holy Nila Aarti Mirrors the Grandeur of Ganga Aarti
Now that the Ulsav(festival) is over, anyone who looks back and reflects on the months-long preparations has every right to feel satisfied and rejoice. The success story is filled with countless elements that make not only the organisers but every Keralite proud. Apart from the holy dip in the river, the Nila Aarti held every evening was an ecstatic experience.
The chanting of mantras by Kashmiri Pandits created celestial moments. Hundreds of thousands of television viewers across the state were glued to their screens to watch the Nila Aarti. Unfortunately, mainstream electronic media did not attach much significance to this massive programme. Sangh-inspired Janam TV and Amritha TV, run by the Amrithanandamayi Ashram, were the only exceptions.
While many people had only heard of the Ganga Aarti, only a few fortunate souls had witnessed it in person. The steadily increasing attendance created a new chapter in Kerala’s social and cultural history. The flow of lakhs of people to the venue exceeded all calculations made by the organisers.
The Ulsav became a topic of discussion across the state for several weeks. Conversations among the people were dominated by the Nila Kumbh Mela. This word-of-mouth sharing of experiences may have contributed to the unexpected turnout. It overcame the deliberate attempts by mainstream media to ignore this mega cultural event, which was inaugurated by the Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
Makhamagha Mela — A Cultural Revival Ignored by the State Machinery
Political and administrative leadership from both the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) viewed the Ulsav with discomfort. Bound by political compulsions, they chose to turn a blind eye to this historic revival of cultural heritage.
Clearly, local self-government bodies, district administration, and the state government ensured that the organisers received little cooperation from statutory authorities for the smooth conduct of the Ulsav. Proper permissions were not granted. The message was unmistakable. Yet Swami Anandavanam Bharati took a firm stand and declared, “We will go ahead.”
In Kerala, both political fronts compete to secure organised vote banks. As A.P. Abdullakutty, former MP and MLA, BJP National Vice President and Chairman of the Central Haj Committee, rightly told the media after taking a holy dip in the river, no LDF or UDF leaders were seen there. He remarked that the same leaders compete aggressively to appear on camera with Haj pilgrims, even pushing officials aside to get visibility.
When Faith Turned Thirunavaya into a Sea of People
However, people committed to protecting their culture did not seek sympathy or support from hesitant political leaders. They understood that unity was the need of the hour and that this was a struggle for existence. Naturally, they flowed to the Nila like another river. The overwhelming success forced even reluctant media outlets to alter their stance. They could no longer keep readers and viewers in the dark.
The smooth conduct of the Makhamagha Mahotsavam was exceptional in every respect. The organisational skills behind its success were exemplary. Despite lakhs of people visiting daily, not a single untoward incident was reported. There was no room for complaint.
When Seva Bharati’s Seva turned Makhamagha Mahotsavam into a People’s Movement
The performance of Seva Bharati demonstrated the strength of the RSS, which is marking its centenary year. Efficient food distribution, cleaning of the premises and the river, and other services reflected Seva Bharati’s exceptional capability. Their service is beyond words. Senior RSS leaders camped at the venue for days to coordinate activities. Volunteers of the Amrithanandamayi Mission worked alongside Seva Bharati volunteers to carry out service activities.
The riverbank witnessed days and nights of unity and devotion. Initially, organisers planned to arrange food for 500 people per day. This was soon increased to 10,000, and later to lakhs.
As the Makhamagha Mahotsavam culminated with the Amrit Snan, the riverbank transformed into a centre of spiritual awakening and social consciousness. This is what Sabhapati Mahamandaleswar Swami Anandavanam Bharati had stated before the Ulsav, and his words proved prophetic. Swamiji later announced that the next Ulsav would be held in 2027, from Pousha Pournami to Shivaratri, lasting 45 days. His declaration that a Mahakumbh Mela would be organised at Tirunnavaya in 2028 has thrilled those who take pride in Hindu culture and identity. Kerala now awaits the realisation of this vision.
An important development in the conduct of the Ulsav was the spotless cooperation extended by the local people. Houses in the area opened their gates and permitted devotees to park their vehicles in their courtyards. They even wholeheartedly allowed women devotees to use their washrooms. This included Muslim households. Muslims in the area told YouTubers that they were surprised to see the smooth conduct of the Ulsav.
They praised for Seva Bharati’s remarkable performance. One of them said they had several anxieties before the programme started and were sceptical about possible waste accumulation and river pollution. However, he added that he and others like him were mistaken, as the place now looks exactly as it did before the programme.
