Flight Pauses for Procession: Heritage Over Heights

Flight services from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport were suspended on Thursday afternoon to make way for the 'Painkuni Arattu' procession from Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, airport authorities announced. The service resumed at 9 pm after the temple rituals were completed.

Since its inception, the airport has twice yearly paused operations for this centuries-old ceremonial march. The procession includes the Travancore royal family, devotees, adorned elephants, and a traditional police band, as they traverse the tarmac en route to Shankumugham beach for ritual immersions.

Despite management changes, including a recent acquisition by the Adani Group, the airport continues to uphold this tradition, underscoring its historical and cultural significance. Flight operations were cleared post-cleaning, resuming without further delay.