Between January and February 2026, thousands flock to the banks of Bharathapuzha at Thirunavaya in Kerala for the Maha Magha Mahotsavam. Called the 'Kumbh of the South,' this grand event precedes an even larger gathering planned for 2028. But the river itself is in trouble. Bharathapuzha, a 209-km seasonal river vital to 4 million people, now runs mostly as patches of stagnant pools during these months. Once deep and powerful, it is shrinking due to less rain and overuse. Experts report its underground water supply is dropping and pollution levels are rising. Research shows pollution in similar river festivals like the Ganga’s Kumbh Mela was dangerously high. The Bharathapuzha, without the Ganga’s large flow, faces even greater risks. Pilgrims bathing in slow-moving water cause oxygen levels to drop and increase pollutants. This harms aquatic life and the river’s health. Despite its cultural and religious importance, there is little planning to protect the river during the Mahotsavam. No strong environmental safeguards or waste management measures are in place. Pollution hotspots like Thirunavaya, known for sewage contamination, remain unaddressed. Activists warn that without care, the river’s decline will damage farming, fishing, and faith traditions dependent on it. The Maha Magha Mahotsavam celebrates heritage, but its success depends on saving the very river that makes it possible. As one researcher said, "If the river dies, what exactly is it that we are reviving?"