Thirunavaya: Kerala’s ‘Kumbhamela’ – the ‘Mahamagam’, has been drawing lakhs of devotees since it began on January 18.
Devotees has been pouring in from various parts of the world to witness the spiritual congregation in the banks of river Nila. Now, the spiritual congregation is set to peak over the coming weekend as it enters its final leg.
Adding to the fervour will be legions of Naga sanyasis from monasteries in and around Kashi and Varanasi, expected to arrive by special trains on February 2.
Traditionally, the Naga sanyasis travel to river confluences during auspicious months to take ritual dips. Some meditate, others engage in spiritual discourses. Their rare and mystic presence — unfettered souls who emerge out of nowhere for events such as Kumbh Mela — often evokes awe and admiration. Many devotees are indeed planning visits to Thirunavaya in the coming days just to catch a glimpse of these avadhoots.
“The crowd has only been swelling since the beginning and now, with the culmination (February 3) nearing, footfall is about 3.5 lakh a day,” says Rajesh Varma of the Mohanji Foundation.
The Foundation, along with the Thirunavaya Kumbh Mela Mahamagha Committee and Mata Amritanandamayi Math, is assisting the Varanasi-headquartered Juna Akhada in organising what is being believed as the revival of an ancient cultural congregation, 270 years after it was last held. “Many are coming in from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and north India too,” adds Rajesh. “Special stops have been assigned for trains at stations nearby like Kuttipuram and Tirur.”
Railway has introduced three trains to nearest railway station at Thirunavaya so that devotees who come to Kozhikode or Shoranur can reach the Navamukunda Shiva temple.