Kerala to Host Historic ‘Kumbh Mela’ on Bharathapuzha from January 2026

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala, the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya, is set to host a grand religious gathering mirroring the North Indian Kumbh Mela, marking a significant first in the state’s modern history. The event, rooted in the ancient tradition of ‘Maha Makham,’ is scheduled to take place on the banks of the Bharathapuzha river in Malappuram district.

The festival will run from January 18 to February 3, 2026, in front of the historic Thirunavaya Nava Mukunda Temple.

Juna Akhara to Lead the Spiritual Congregration
Taking inspiration from the four major Kumbh Melas held across North India, the Kerala edition will be organized under the guidance of Juna Akhara, the country’s largest monastic order and a primary coordinator of the traditional melas.

Swami Anandavanam Bharathi, the Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara and only the third Keralite to achieve this spiritual rank, confirmed the arrangements. “Kerala has a rich religious tradition similar to Kumbh Mela. The Maha Makham held in Thirunavaya during the time of Cheraman Perumal was equivalent to the Kumbh Mela,” he stated, connecting the forthcoming event to Kerala’s deep-rooted past.

Revival of the Ancient Maha Makham
The Maha Makham was historically held every twelve years, serving as a vital assembly where seers, scholars, kings, and warriors convened to deliberate on Sanatana Dharma, perform yanjam and yagam, and even select a new ruler. The tradition, which evolved into a martial form under the leadership of Perumpadappu Swaroopam and later Valluva Konathiri, saw its revival begin in 2016 with river worship rituals at the Bharathapuzha.

The Juna Akhara plans to organize the full-scale Maha Makham (Kumbh Mela) in 2028, aligning with the traditional twelve-year cycle, with the 2026 event serving as a key preparatory step.

Call for Cooperation
A reception committee to coordinate the 2026 event will be constituted on November 23. The Juna Akhara has also announced that it will seek the cooperation of both the Malabar and Travancore Devaswom Boards to ensure the success of the spiritual gathering.

“The seers from other Akharas will also come. All the seers and ashrams in Kerala will be part of this,” Swami Anandavanam added, anticipating a massive congregation of spiritual leaders and devotees.

With input from TNIE

For more details: The Indian Messenger