Bathing facilities will be available in the Bharathapuzha, where the Mahamagha Mahotsavam is being held, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Mauni Amāvāsi
(January 18)
Mauni Amāvāsyā is the new moon that occurs just before Mahā Śivarātri. It is the day when the ancestors (pitṛs) are at their most powerful, making it the most auspicious day for performing Pitṛ Pūja.
This is a day to sit in silence, remembering all the ancestors.
All the restless questions within oneself find their answers during this great day of silence. This is the day when Manu, the first human in the universe, set foot on Earth—that is, it is also the day of the birth of Svāyambhuva Manu. After Manu married Shatarūpa, the daughter of Brahmā, the human lineage began.
By performing vows and rituals, taking a sacred bath in the holy river, and remembering the ancestors on this day, all the negative effects experienced in past generations are removed, and life becomes prosperous and fulfilling.
Participating in the rituals performed on this day brings satisfaction to the ancestors.
The Mauni Amāvāsyā bath during the Mahā Māgha Mahotsavam at Tirunavaya will be held on January 18.
Māgha Gupta Navarātri Begins
(January 19)
The Māgha Gupta Navarātri begins on this day. This is a special nine-night period dedicated to the worship of the Divine Mother in her hidden (gupta) forms. Devotees perform various rituals, worship, and austerities to seek spiritual strength, protection, and the removal of obstacles.
Observing fasts, chanting mantras, and participating in the special pujas during this period are considered highly auspicious and bring blessings for prosperity, knowledge, and well-being.
The rituals and celebrations of Māgha Gupta Navarātri at Tirunavaya start on January 19 as part of the Mahā Māgha Mahotsavam.
Dharma Dhvajā Arohaṇaṃ
(January 19)
The Dharma Dhvajā Arohṇaṃ of the Mahā Māgha Mahotsavam, which begins at Tirunavaya in Malappuram district, will be held on January 19, 2026. This is the raising of the flag of a cultural festival that had ceased 250 years ago, now returning to the same sacred land.
The flag is raised with a firm affirmation that the river worship, Nila Aarti, deity veneration, sacred baths, and ritual procedures are all for the welfare of this land.
The flag symbolizes the revival of history, the return of divine influences, and the resurgence of a righteous and virtuous era.
Chariot Procession Begins from Tirumūrti Mala
(January 19)
The chariot procession marking the beginning of Tirunavaya Mahā Māgha Mela, Kerala’s Kumbha Mela, starts from Tamil Nadu. The procession begins on January 19 from the origin point of the Bhāratappuzha River. It departs from the Amana Lingeśvara Temple on the banks of the Nila River, which flows down from Tirumūrti Mala near Udumalpet in Tamil Nadu.
After the Śrīcakra Pūja, the chariot sets out with the Mahā Meru and will pass through Udumalpet, Pollachi, Coimbatore, and Ettimadai-Palakkad.
After the receptions prepared at Palakkad and Kalpathi, the chariot will arrive at Tirunavaya on January 22 via Shoranur–Ottappalam route.
Navakoti Ashtakshara Mantra Japa
(January 19)
Ganapathi Homam, Bhagavathi Seva
(January 19, 20)
Navakoti Ashtakshara Mantra Japa
(January 20, 21)
Gaṇeśa Jayantī
(January 22)
Gaṇeśa Jayantī is the birthday of Lord Gaṇeśa. It falls on the Chaturthī of the bright fortnight (Śukla Pakṣa) in the month of Māgha. This day is also known as Tilakuṇḍa Chaturthī. Additionally, the Gaṇeśa Chaturthī in the month of Chingam is also celebrated as Gaṇeśa’s birthday.
Gaṇeśa Jayantī marks the day when Gaṇeśa was born into this universe. It also commemorates the day when Gaṇeśa came to Earth to search for his brother Subrahmaṇya, who had departed from Kailāsa. Considering the entire cosmos, the universal birth is celebrated as Gaṇeśa Jayantī; considering only Earth, it corresponds to Gaṇeśa Chaturthī.
Since Gaṇeśa is the Lord who both creates and removes obstacles, we can be assured that his presence resides within us. In the external cosmos, the day of Gaṇeśa’s birth coincides with the manifestation of a powerful energy in nature. The water bodies of that region receive the strongest influence of this energy, which is why river bathing (nadī snānam) is important on this day.
Our inner nature (pinda) is aligned with the outer nature of the cosmos. When we connect our inner being with the river that most powerfully receives this change, the influence of Lord Gaṇeśa awakens within us.
The sacred bath on Gaṇeśa Jayantī is especially significant for attaining all the prosperity and auspiciousness of life.
At the Mahā Māgha Mahotsavam of Kerala’s Kumbha Mela in Tirunavaya, the Gaṇeśa Jayantī bath will be held in the Bhāratappuzha River on January 22.
Vasantapañchamī
(January 23)
Vasantapañcamī is also called Śrīpañcamī or Sarasvatīpañcamī. It falls on the fifth day of the bright fortnight (Śukla Pakṣa) in the month of Māgha.
Although Vijayadaśamī is more prominent in Kerala, across most of India, children are initiated into writing on Vasantapañcamī, a day imbued with the blessings of Sarasvatī.
Just as seeds sown in spring grow and bloom, the mind nurtured under the influence of Sarasvatī on this day flourishes. The Moon governs intellect and imagination; therefore, whatever thoughts arise in our minds on this Pañcamī will grow, blossom, and become fruitful under the grace of Sarasvatī.
The sacred bath on this day is especially important for poets, artists, and seekers of knowledge, as it combines the energies of Sarasvatī and Vasantam.
On this day, the Bhāratappuzha flows, fully charged with the blossoming Sarasvatī consciousness in nature.
The Vasantapañcamī sacred bath at the Kerala Kumbha Mela in Tirunavaya will be held on January 23.
Makashashti (Makara Shashti)
(January 24)
Ratha Saptamī
(January 25)
Ratha Saptamī falls on the seventh day of the bright fortnight (Śukla Pakṣa) in the month of Māgha.
It marks the day the Sun was born into the universe, which was previously covered in darkness. This is the day when the Sun was born as the son of Maharṣi Kaśyapa and the goddess Aditi.
The Sun embodies the radiance of Vishṇu, which is why he is also called Sūrya Nārāyaṇa. On Ratha Saptamī, the Sun faces the northern hemisphere, beginning the Uttarāyana period. In South India, this day also signals the start of the warmer season and the onset of spring.
Because the Sun is always in motion, it cannot sit still for meditation. To address this, on Ratha Saptamī, Lord Śiva gave the Sun a chariot with seven horses, enabling him to sit and travel simultaneously. The seven horses represent the seven days of the week and the seven rays of light. The twelve wheels of the Sun chariot represent the twelve zodiac signs.
Worshiping the Sun on Ratha Saptamī, the day he was born to dispel darkness, ensures that a similar light will rise within us. If the Sun is strong in one’s horoscope, it enhances self-confidence and immunity. Such individuals will possess leadership qualities, fame, and a disciplined, principled nature like the Sun. For those without children, Sun worship and sacred bathing on this day bring blessings.
Reciting the Āditya Hṛdaya Mantra, Sūrya Aṣṭakam, and Sūrya Kavaca while taking a sacred bath in the river today is an excellent way to solve life’s problems. It is a day to emerge from all sins and past mistakes, leaving darkness behind. The sacred bath on this day brings a new dawn in life.
At the Kerala Kumbha Mela, the sacred river bath to remove Navagraha doshas and strengthen the Sun in life will be performed in the Bhāratappuzha at Tirunavaya on January 25.
Bhīṣhma Aṣhṭamī
(January 26)
Bhīṣma, born as the divine prince of the Kuru dynasty to King Shantanu and Ganga, is the great warrior known as Bhīṣma.
In a previous birth, the girl Amba became Bhīṣma’s enemy and later, as Śikhaṇḍī, faced Bhīṣma in the Mahābhārata war. Remembering Śikhaṇḍī, Arjuna fought and wounded Bhīṣma. Bhīṣma had received the boon of Svachchhanda-mṛtyu (“freedom to choose the time of death”) from his father Shantanu, allowing him to live until his chosen time. Bhīṣma lay on the battlefield for eighty-two days, waiting for the transition from Dakṣiṇāyana to Uttarāyana.
It is when the gods are awake, at the start of Uttarāyana, that Bhīṣma finally departed from his body. His departure took place on the Aṣṭamī of Māgha month.
Before his death, Bhīṣma advised Yudhishṭhira to recite the Viṣṇusahasranāma.
One year of humans equals one day of the gods. The time when the gods are awake is called Uttarāyana. Those who die during Uttarāyana attain heaven.
All japa, pūja, dhyāna, and vrata performed during Uttarāyana yield double merit. The sacred bath (puṇya snānam) on Bhīṣma Aṣṭamī is especially liberating. Reciting the Viṣṇusahasranāma and taking the sacred bath on this day is highly significant.
On this day, nature is filled with Vaishṇava consciousness. Bathing in the sacred river on Bhīṣma Aṣṭamī ensures the blessings of Lord Viṣṇu for everyone.
The Bhīṣma Aṣṭamī sacred bath in the Bhāratappuzha at Tirunavaya will be held on January 26.
Mahānanda Navamī
(January 27)
Mahānanda Navamī falls on the ninth day (Navamī tithi) of the bright fortnight (Śukla Pakṣa) in the month of Māgha.
This means that Māgha Gupta Navarātri, which began on January 19 (Pratipad), is observed up to the ninth day, when Mahānanda or Mahānanda Navamī is celebrated.
On this day, the goddesses Durgā and Lakṣmī are worshiped with equal importance.
Performing the Mahānanda rituals during the Māgha Gupta Navarātri period according to precise procedures is said to bring results equivalent to performing an Aśvamedha Yajña.
Bathing in the sacred rivers on Mahānanda Navamī helps one overcome enemies, remove obstacles in life, and alleviate poverty and difficulties.
The Mahānanda sacred bath at Tirunavaya, during the Kerala Kumbha Mela, will be held in the Bhāratappuzha River on January 27.
Gupta Vijayadhasami
(January 28)
Gupta Navarātri
(January 30)
The Navarātri celebrated in September–October with public festivities and special cultural events is known as Mahā Navarātri. In addition to that, there are other Navarātris as well.
The nine days from the first to the ninth tithi of the bright fortnight (Śukla Pakṣa) in Māgha month are called Māgha Gupta Navarātri.
This Navarātri is observed without external celebration or grandeur. Its focus is on spiritual practice. These nine days are especially important for tantric rituals, the worship of the Mahā Vidyās, and devotees engaged in spiritual practices.
Observing this Navarātri promotes spiritual awakening, the rise of knowledge, prosperity in life, the removal of fear and worries, and the resolution of life’s problems.
During this time, the ten Mahā Vidyās of Durgā manifest in nature in a hidden (gupta) form. Bathing in the rivers during this period allows that divine energy to awaken within ourselves as well.
This day is the most powerful for the manifestation of the goddess in nature. Taking the sacred bath in the Bhāratappuzha River on this day enables everyone to receive the blessings of the Mother.
Jaya Ekādaśī
(January 29)
All Ekādaśī fasts remove sins. However, Jaya Ekādaśī not only destroys sins but also bestows merit (puṇya).
Through the Bhaviṣya Purāṇa, the significance of Jaya Ekādaśī is revealed to the world in the form of a dialogue between Śrī Krishna and Yudhishṭhira.
The story behind Jaya Ekādaśī is as follows:
Indra cursed Mālyavān and Puṣpavatī, sending them to the netherworld for the sins of negligence. Even without memories of past births and now residing in the spirit world, they tried to live without committing further sins. Reflecting sorrowfully on their situation, they spent the entire night without eating or sleeping, lying on a bed of Araya leaves. That day was Jaya Ekādaśī.
By fasting, abstaining from food and sleep, and contemplating the truths of life unknowingly, their sins were destroyed, and they earned merit. The next day, they returned to the divine realm in their previous Gandharva forms. Indra was astonished to see them released from the curse unexpectedly.
Thus, even when observed unknowingly, Jaya Ekādaśī removes sins and brings merit. Additionally, as Krishna told Yudhishṭhira, no troubles arising from the spirit world will affect those who observe this Ekādaśī.
Scriptures declare that observing Jaya Ekādaśī fast can lead one to Vaikuṇṭha.
By taking a sacred bath in the Bhāratappuzha, which receives the extraordinary flow of energy in nature on this day, everyone can attain these blessings.
The Jaya Ekādaśī sacred bath at the Mahā Māgha Mahotsavam in Tirunavaya will be held in the Bhāratappuzha River on January 29.
Magha Dwadashi
(January 30)
Magha Trayodashi
(January 31)
Māgha Paurṇamī, Thaippūyam
(February 01)
Magha Chaturdashi – Desa Deva Poojas
Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara Pooja; Thali Thevar; Thrippangottappan
(February 02)
Magha Pratipada
Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara Pooja; Thali Thevar; Thrippangott Thevar Pooja
(February 02)
Māgha Pūrṇimā Sacred Bath
(February 1)
The Māgha Pūrṇimā bath takes place on the full moon day of the month of Māgha.
Māgha is considered the eleventh month of the Shaka year and is regarded as the month of the Moon and Vishṇu.
On the full moon day of Māgha, when the Moon is at its fullest, the scriptures state that the presence of Mahā Vishṇu fills both nature and the rivers. In other words, the Moon exerts its influence, and the Bhāratappuzha flows with the vibrant presence of Vishṇu.
For this reason, the sacred bath in the river (Nīla snānam) on this day is especially significant. It is also believed to be the day of Vyāsa’s birth.
Besides the Moon and Mahā Vishṇu, this day is also considered an important Pūyam day for Lord Murugan.
Bathing in the sacred rivers, which instantly receive and store all the energetic vibrations of nature, allows everyone to absorb this divine consciousness.
The Māgha Pūrṇimā sacred bath at the Mahā Māgha Mahotsavam in Tirunavaya will be held in the Bhāratappuzha River on February 1.
Makha Nakṣatra Yati Pūjā
(February 3)
Makha – Māgha
In the Shaka year, the name of a month is determined based on the day the full moon (Pūrṇimā) occurs. When the full moon falls under the Makha Nakṣatra, that month is named Makha. The Sanskrit form of Makha is Māgha, hence it is called the month of Māgha. Scholars describe this month as a sacred month among all months.
Yati Pūjā
In Bharat, every person belongs to the lineage of some great sage (Maharṣi). In every family of this sacred land, there is always someone who has taken sanyāsa (renunciation) and set out on a spiritual journey. Therefore, to pay respects to a sanyāsī is to honor a great spiritual tradition.
Revering and performing ṣaṣṭāṅga namaskāra (prostration in six forms) to eminent Yatis (ascetics) is considered part of Bharat’s great heritage.