Kavaru’ blooms: People swell to Kumblangi to see the sight, amidst corona scare

A sea of people is seen to be swarming around the backwaters of the Kumbalangi village, Kochi, Kerala to catch a glimpse of the ‘kavaru’ blooming. Kavaru is a circular-shaped blue light that is seen in the backwaters of the Kumbalangi village in Kochi mostly during the nights. This is not new to the villagers, but today it is causing them a lot of headache. The villagers are having sleepless nights since groups of people from other places are coming here just to see the ‘kavaru’ even despite measures introduced on social distancing due to the coronavirus scare.

When this got intolerant, villagers informed the police on Wednesday night and the police is known to have shooed away groups of people using the lathi. 16 people who refused to move away were finally arrested. Kavaru became famous among people from other places because of the movie ‘Kumbalangi Nights’. The scene in the movie in which the character Bonny visits the ‘kavaru’ along with his girl friend is very famous. In this scene, the girl friend is seen to take the blue lights within her palms. According to science, this blue light is emitted by bacteria, fungus and other micro-organisms present in that area. But, today, in these times of corona scare, this ‘kavaru’ has become a headache for the villagers. Hundreds of people are seen visiting the village at night to get a glimpse of this ‘kavaru’ blooming. Most of them got to know about the ‘kavaru’ through the social media.

The people are seen reaching the village as early as 7pm to see the ‘kavaru’. Most people are seen to crowd around areas like – Anjilithara, Kandakadavu-Padashekaram road. Despite warnings from the government that people with corona infection should not crowd around these areas, people are seen reaching the land to see the ‘kavaru’ at mid-night in large groups. The villagers are finally fed up and are having sleepless nights.

These people who want to see the ‘kavaru’ come at night and park their vehicles on the roadside and slowly walk towards the ‘kavaru’. Despite all the warnings, people still swarm at nights to see the ‘kavaru’. Finally, now, the villagers have sought the help of the police. Even after the interference of the police, the number of visitors to the village seems unaffected.

Panchayath President, Martin Antony has requested that nobody should visit the ’kavaru’ in groups especially at nights. Now, the president and some panchayath members are seen guarding the ‘kavaru’ at night.

Also, it is understood that the police alone cannot deal with these visitors and so the villagers have requested help from the district administration too for a solution to this problem.

Only the 16 who refused to cooperate with the police were arrested

Only the 16 people who refused to go away after being warned several times were arrested by a police team lead by Palluruthy CI, Joy Mathew. They were given bail only after giving awareness to their relatives about the gravity of the situation.

The police got hold of their cameras, bikes and cars. The police sent off families with children who had come to visit the ‘kavaru’. In between this, the police got hold of a few alcoholics too. People from different places like Kollam, Alappuzha, Thrissur and Malappuram reached Kumbalangi to have a look at the ‘kavaru’ in the backwaters of this village. The police charged case against the parents who came along with their little ones to see the ‘kavaru’ as these parents were putting the health of these little ones too in danger.

Teaming up in Kumbalangi is illegal

Mattanchery Assistant Police Commissioner said that action will be taken if groups are found coming into Kumbalangi to see the ‘kavaru’, especially so because people are living in the times of the coronavirus scare.

Praveen Vikkath