Kerala: The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport announced the suspension of flight services for five hours on November 9 on Saturday. The flight services will remain close for the ‘Alpassi Arattu’ process of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The procession is a centuries-old tradition and follows the current path to Shangumugham Beach for the holy bath of the idols.
The annual ‘Alpassi Arattu’ procession that crosses the runway will result in the suspension of flight services at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport from 4 pm to 9 pm on November 9. All the flights between 4 pm to 9 pm will be stopped. The passengers are being requested to check with the respective airlines about their changed time schedule.
One of the world’s busiest airports, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, had been closing down the operations and rescheduling its flights twice in a year for the past centuries just for the ceremonial procession at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
According to Historians, when the airport was constructed, Travancore King Sree Chithira Thirunal ordered that it would remain open to the public for 363 days annually, keeping two days for Lord Padmanabha, the royal family’s patron deity.
The airport authorities issue a notice to Airmen two times a year, a few days prior the partial runway clousers for the Alpassi festival in October and November and Painkuni festival held in March and April as a part of the ceremonial events of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.