Flight operations at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will be suspended for five hours on November 9 to make way for the Alpassi Arattu procession. As part of an annual tradition, the historic procession of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple will cross the airport’s runway on this day. Read on to know more about this.
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Suspends Flights For 5 Hrs
The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport announced that the airport will halt all flights between 4 PM to 9 PM on November 9. This is to allow the Alpassi Arattu procession to pass through the airport. The airport authorities took to social media to announce this news. According to the post, the airport authorities have advised passengers to check updated timings of their flights on this route with their airlines. This will help ensure a “seamless and secure journey”
The Kerala airport decided to shut operations because the annual Alpassi Arattu procession traditionally takes a route crossing the runway. According to a News18 report, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has been halting operations and rescheduling flights twice every year for decades. This way, they allow the centuries-old ceremonial procession to pass through the runway.
Why Is The Airport Shut Down For Alpassi Arattu Procession?
Now, why does the Alpassi Arattu procession of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple cross Thiruvananthapuram International Airport’s runway? Travancore King Sree Chithira Thirunal had asked the authorities to keep the airport open for the public throughout the year when it was constructed here. He also asked them to keep it open for two days for Lord Padmanabha .
The airport authorities honour this tradition and shut down operations for a few hours to let the procession pass. An Instagram post by Thiruvananthapuram International Airport said, “The runway at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport remains closed twice a year for the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple procession to pass through. The practice of the procession taking the airport path to reach Shangumugham Beach for the holy bath of the idols began centuries ago. This ritual continues even after the Airport was established in 1932, ensuring that the culture and traditions of the region remain intact.”
It’s amazing to see how the authorities at this Kerala Airport are keeping up their promise to maintain a tradition!
Cover Image Courtesy: Reddit/MasterShifu_21 & Canva (representative image)
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