Kerala Kumbh Mela opens tomorrow: Tight security, more than 100 KSRTC buses, in place

Thirunavaya: Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will hoist the flag to inaugurate the Kerala Kumbh Mela at Thirunavaya on Monday. The flag and flagpole are set to arrive at the venue today in a ceremonial procession from the Alipparambu Kalari in Angadippuram. The Governor is scheduled to reach Thirunavaya at 11 am.

Devotees and monks from across the country will gather at Thirunavaya to participate in the ritual bath in the Bharatapuzha River, also known as the Nila. The Kumbh Mela, organised under the banner of the Mahamagha festival, will continue until February 3. On Monday, a chariot procession carrying the Sri Chakra from Thirumurthi Malai in Tamil Nadu will also proceed to Thirunavaya.

Today, marking Mouni Amavasi, a special ritual called Kalachakram – Bali will be performed from 6 pm to 11 pm. The ceremony will be led by Acharyan Kunjiraman Panicker. Swami Abhinava Balananda Bhairava, who oversees the ritual, described it as a traditional form of worship invoking the divine presence of the ancestral deity called `Para'. He noted that this sacred ritual has been conducted on the banks of the Nila for more than a century.

Another significant ritual, Smashana Shraddham, aimed at propitiating departed ancestors, began today at 6 am. The ritual is being officiated by Acharya Korapath Rameshan of Ivarmadom.

Earlier on Saturday, the Vedashradha ritual was performed at Thirunavaya, led by Cherumukku Vaidhikan Vallabhan Akkithirippadu. The Kooshmandi Homam was also conducted during the day, with Yajurveda hymns recited throughout. This ritual was overseen by former Sabarimala Melshanthi (head priest) Arikkara Sudheer Namboothiri.

Starting tomorrow, the Navakodi Narayana Japa recitation will commence. Devotee committees bringing lamps from temples will also receive offerings of the Maghavriksha (banyan tree) and Ashwatha Vriksha (fig tree). As part of the festival, a variety of special rituals from different traditions, spiritual discourses (Satsangs), scholar assemblies (Vidwal Sadas), Kalari Yoga observances and cultural performances will be conducted.

The event will also feature special pujas and rituals on key occasions, including Mouni Amavasi (Sunday), Magha Pratipada (Monday), Ganesh Jayanti on the 22nd, Vasantha Panchami on the 23rd, Ratha Saptami on the 25th, Bheeshma Ashtami on the 26th, Mahanandana Navami on the 27th, Gupta-Vipta Vijayadashami on the 28th, Jaya Ekadashi on the 29th, Thaipooyam on February 1 and Makara Sankranti on February 3.

Torch, flag and flagpole procession today
The ceremonial procession carrying the Deepa Jyothi (torch), flag, and flagpole for the Kerala Kumbh Mela will commence today from the Alipparambu Kalari. Following the Ganapathi Homam in the morning, the torches arriving from Ettinarakkuparambu Ardhanareeswara Temple and Kalikadavu Mahakali Temple will be received at the Kalari. Swami Anandavanam Bharati Maharaj will inaugurate the event.

At 10 am, after the recitation of the Sahasranama Devi Mahatmya, the procession of the Deepa Jyothi, flag and flagpole will set out and is expected to reach Thirunavaya by 3 pm.

An array of cultural and devotional programmes has also been arranged. Nagapattu will be performed at 3 pm, followed by folk songs associated with Thirai and Poothan at 4 pm. A dance performance by Lakshminandana is scheduled for 5 pm, after which Sithani Bhajans will present a bhajan evening at 6 pm. At 8. 30 pm, the Athma Kalari Sangham, under the guidance of Vipin Gurukkal, will present a Kalaripayattu demonstration.

Elaborate security arrangements 
The Revenue Department and the police have put in place elaborate security arrangements for the event. To coordinate the security measures, nine tahsildars have been appointed as Executive Magistrates at the venue. As many as 300 police personnel will be deployed, operating in two batches of 150 each. Additional police forces will be deployed on days when large crowds are expected.

Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads and dog squads will be stationed at the venue. Entry to the yajna shala (main venue) and the temple premises will be permitted only after thorough body checks. Three deep-search metal detectors will be installed, and entry will be allowed exclusively through these checkpoints.

Bomb detection checks using specialised equipment will be conducted both along the river and on land. Deputy Superintendents of Police and Inspectors will oversee security operations. The appointment of Executive Magistrates is intended to ensure effective coordination and supervision of all security arrangements.

KSRTC to operate 100 special services
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will operate around 100 special services from various parts of the state in connection with the Kerala Kumbh Mela. The services are being organised through the Budget Tourism Cell, and bookings for 55 of these services have already been completed. Buses will operate from all depots across the state.

The services will begin in the morning, with buses first arriving at the Kadampuzha Bhagavathi Temple. Pilgrims will then be taken to the Chandanakkavu Bhagavathi Temple, followed by Thirunavaya. After offering darshan at the Navamukunda Temple here, they will proceed to Thunchan Parambu in Tirur.

Following lunch there, pilgrims will resume temple visits, covering any one of the temples at Thriprangode, Alathiyur, or Garudankavu. The buses will then return to Thirunavaya in the evening to witness the Nila Aarathi (river worship). After the ritual, the buses will head back to their respective destinations.

To review arrangements at Thirunavaya, the Kozhikode Regional Transport Officer and Budget Tourism Cell coordinators visited the venue on Saturday. For bookings and further details, passengers may contact 9188938531.