Today, October 20, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will suspend flight operations for five hours, from 4 pm to 9 pm. The reason is not a technical fault or bad weather, but a centuries-old religious ceremony that follows a route passing through the airport runway.

The temporary suspension will allow the Alpassi Arattu procession of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple to continue its traditional journey to Shangumugham Beach. The unusual arrangement reflects how an ancient custom continues to coexist with modern aviation.

But how did a sacred procession come to share its path with an international airport?

What Makes the Arattu Special?

The word ‘Arattu’ means a ceremonial ritual bath. At the conclusion of the temple’s 10-day Alpassi and Painkuni festivals, the ceremonial idols of Lord Padmanabha, Narasimha Moorthy and Krishna Swamy are carried by temple priests to Shangumugham Beach.

There, the deities are symbolically immersed in the waters of the Arabian Sea for a holy purification bath. After dusk, the procession returns to the temple along the same route, traditionally illuminated by burning torches known as theevettis.

The ceremony takes place twice a year and draws devotees, members of the Travancore royal family and temple elephants. For the faithful, it is an important ritual that has endured across generations.

How Did an Airport Become Part of the Route?

The procession route existed long before the airport was built. For centuries, devotees travelled about six kilometres from Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple to the sea for the Arattu ritual. When the airport was built in 1932, its runway crossed this traditional route. The then Travancore king, Sree Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma, is said to have ensured that the procession could continue without interruption.

According to historical accounts, the airport would operate for the public for 363 days a year, while the remaining two days would be reserved for Lord Padmanabha’s procession. This allowed the airport to function while keeping the age-old tradition alive.

How Does It Work Today?

Even under modern airport management, the tradition continues. Flight schedules are adjusted in advance, and airport authorities coordinate with temple officials and security personnel to facilitate the procession safely.

Reports describe security arrangements that include authorised access for procession participants, supervision of the runway crossing and inspection and cleaning of the tarmac before aircraft movements resume.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd (TIAL) has advised passengers to check revised flight timings with their respective airlines before travelling today.

From an ancient route to a modern runway, the Arattu procession tells a remarkable story of continuity. For a few hours today, aviation will pause so a sacred journey can continue, reminding us that progress does not always mean leaving the past behind.