MALAPPURAM: The trustee of the Thirunavaya Nava Mukunda Temple, the Zamorin, has asked the Juna Akhada and the Sangh Parivar-backed Margadharshak Mandal to set aside their differences and jointly organise the Mahamagham festival in January.
In separate letters responding to applications from both groups seeking permission to use the temple premises for their respective events, the Zamorin made it clear that the venue would be allotted only if the two groups agreed to come together and conduct the festival peacefully.
“All sanyasi communities must stand together for the betterment of society. Without any underlying animosity or hostility, both groups should collaborate to conduct the Mahamagham peacefully,” the letter said.
The Nava Mukunda Temple Trust received four sets of applications, two each from the Juna Akhada and the Margadharshak Mandal, last month.
The intervention comes amid a stalemate between the two groups, which have been preparing to hold separate events after failing to reach an agreement on organising a joint festival. With the proposed dates overlapping, the temple trust is also faced with the difficulty of allocating its premises to either group.
The Juna Akhada has announced a Kumbh Mela-model event from January 15 to March 6, with Mahamandaleshwar Anandavanam Bharathi heading the Thirunavaya Kumbh Mela.
Meanwhile, the Margadharshak Mandal has announced a Keralam-style Mahamagha Mahotsavam from January 22 to February 21. Mata Amritanandamayi will continue as its chief patron, while ‘Metro Man’ E Sreedharan has been appointed chairman of the welcome committee.
The Nila Aarti, which drew considerable attention during last year’s event, is expected to feature in both programmes.
With the proposed dates drawing closer, both sides are moving ahead with plans to constitute their respective organising committees.
The Juna Akhada, which had earlier sought the state government’s support, is expected to hold its organising committee meeting at the Thirunavaya temple on November 7. The Margadharshak Mandal will hold its committee meeting at the Thirunavaya Bhavan’s School on November 12.