Maha Magha Mahotsavam: Kerala's 'Kumbh Mela' Returns Amidst Political Silence
Opinion
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News18•31-01-2026, 15:52
Maha Magha Mahotsavam: Kerala's 'Kumbh Mela' Returns Amidst Political Silence
- •The Tirunnavaya Navamukunda Temple in Kerala is hosting the Maha Magha Mahotsavam, projected as Kerala's own Kumbh Mela, from January 18 to February 3.
- •The festival revives an ancient tradition, Mamankam, which was a significant political and religious spectacle held every 12 years until the mid-18th century.
- •Historically, Mamankam involved a ritualistic conflict between the Valluvakkonathiri and the Zamorin of Malabar, with suicidal missions becoming a heroic symbol.
- •The current revival, influenced by Hindu nationalist imaginaries, aims to restore the festival's earlier form, attracting major akhadas and spiritual leaders.
- •The festival's return is seen as deepening Hindu consciousness in Kerala, with political parties largely avoiding public statements due to unpredictable vote bank implications.
Why It Matters: Kerala's Maha Magha Mahotsavam revival signals a growing Hindu consciousness and political complexity in the state.
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