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Flights Halted for Ancient Temple Ritual
4 Apr
Summary
- Thiruvananthapuram airport flights halted for five hours on Thursday afternoon.
- The Painkuni Arattu procession of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple used the runway.
- This centuries-old practice has continued for decades, impacting flight schedules.
Flight operations at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport were suspended for approximately five hours on Thursday afternoon, from 4:45 PM to 9 PM. The halt was to permit the passage of the holy 'Painkuni Arattu' procession belonging to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
This bi-annual ceremonial procession has utilized the airport runway for decades, a tradition dating back centuries. The practice ensures the temple's idols are taken to Shankumugham beach for rituals. Male members of the Travancore royal family, devotees, elephants, and police personnel participated in the event.
The airport management acknowledged the deep connection of this tradition to Kerala's heritage. Flight services resumed after the procession concluded, and the tarmac was cleaned and deemed safe for air traffic. This practice, predating the airport's establishment in 1932, continues even under the Adani Group's management.
