Can Bharathapuzha river in Kerala survive Maha Magha, dubbed ‘Kumbh of the South’?

Key Highlights

• The days leading up to the inauguration of its modern ode have been punctuated with religio-political tensions.
• Yet, beneath the spiritual, cultural, and political contestations lies a more pressing concern: How will the already fragile Bharathapuzha sustain a recurring Kumbh-scale event?
• A temporary bridge constructed across the Bharathapuzha to reach the Maha Magham ritual venue.
• | Photo Credit: Sakeer Hussain The Bharathapuzha, a 209-km seasonal river swirling through central Kerala, has for centuries been the heartland of rice cultivation and spice production.
• Notably, during the Chera dynasty, the river’s navigability brought wealth and cosmopolitanism to the Malabar coast, connecting the Ghats with the Arabian Sea and facilitating the export of spices, ivory, and gems to international ports.