New Delhi, February 22 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke about the centuries-old Mamangam tradition, often called the Kerala Kumbh, which has once again come alive after nearly 250 years, saying that while the rivers may be different from North to South, the spirit of faith remains the same.
In his monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat, Modi said that people still remember the breathtaking images of last year's Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, the vast gathering of people on the banks of the 'Sangam', and the immense flow of faith, particularly during the sacred moment of bathing, when it seemed as if India was in communion with its 'Sanatan Chetana' (eternal consciousness).
"The same spirit of the Maha Kumbh, the same Magha month, the same devotion, as it moves from North to South, takes on a new form. On the land of Kerala, in Tirunavaya, on the banks of the Bharatappuzha River, there is a centuries-old tradition, Mamangam," he said.
The prime minister also said that many people call it the 'Maha Magha' festival or 'Kerala Kumbh', where bathing in the holy river during the month of Magha and making that moment a lasting memory is its essence.
Over time, he said, this tradition seemed to have faded away, and for nearly 250 years, this event had not been celebrated with the same grandeur.
"But today, in our country, which is rediscovering its heritage, history has taken another turn. This time, the Kerala Kumbh was successfully held without any major announcement," he said.
Modi said that people communicated about it, and word spread, and soon, devotees began arriving at Tirunavaya every day.
"Whether it's the Maha Kumbh or the Kerala Kumbh, it's not just a festival of bathing. It's a reminder of the past. It's a re-discovery of culture," he said.
"While the rivers may be different from North to South, and the banks may be different, the spirit of faith remains the same, this is Bharat," he said.
