Kerala Kumbh Mela Returns After 250 Years Ahead of Assembly Elections

Kerala has witnessed the return of a centuries-old spiritual tradition with the revival of the Maha Magha Mahotsavam, often described as the “Kumbh Mela of South India”, after a gap of nearly 250 years. The 18-day religious congregation began on January 18 on the banks of the Bharathapuzha, also revered as the Dakshin Ganga, and has drawn tens of thousands of devotees from across the country.

Marked by Vedic chants, diya-lit riverbanks and saffron-clad sadhus, the festival mirrors the spiritual ethos of the northern Kumbh Melas while remaining rooted in Kerala’s own historical and cultural traditions. The event has gained additional significance as it unfolds ahead of the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, triggering political discussions across the state.

The revival of the Kerala Kumbh is being viewed by some observers as a subtle cultural outreach by the ruling Left Democratic Front, as it faces electoral challenges from the Congress-led United Democratic Front and the BJP. While the state government has avoided overt political messaging, the scale and official support for the event have attracted attention.

The idea to revive the ancient congregation was initiated by Swami Anandavan Bharati, a former CPI(M) student leader who later embraced monastic life and is now a senior monk of the Juna Akhada. He was appointed the mahamandaleshwar for South India during the previous Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, which inspired the revival of the Kerala version.

The festival is being held at the historic Mamankam grounds, a site associated with Kerala’s medieval Mamankam festival that was traditionally organised once every 12 years. The tradition gradually faded after British colonial rule took control of the Malabar region.

The event was formally inaugurated by Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who hoisted the ceremonial flag on January 18. The festival’s chief patrons include spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi and Kerala Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan. Organisers expect the congregation to attract more than 10 lakh devotees over its duration.

Every evening, the riverbanks transform into a devotional spectacle as priests from Kashi Vishwanath Temple perform a special Nila Aarti, inspired by the famed Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. The event has also drawn attention from political leaders, including BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who described the revival as emotionally significant for the region.

The Kerala government has put extensive security and logistical arrangements in place, deploying over 300 police personnel, bomb detection squads, special KSRTC bus services and dedicated railway connections from Varanasi and Rishikesh.

The festival, however, has not been free from controversy. A temporary halt on the construction of a bridge over the Bharathapuzha sparked political backlash earlier this month, before the issue was resolved amid concerns over its electoral implications.

With spirituality, heritage and politics intersecting, the return of Kerala’s Kumbh Mela has emerged as one of the most culturally and politically significant events in the state this year.