THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Flight operations at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will remain suspended for five hours on October 20 to allow the traditional ‘Alpassi Arattu’ procession of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple to pass through the runway, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd (TIAL) said on Sunday.In a statement, TIAL said flight services would be suspended from 4 pm to 9 pm to facilitate the ceremonial procession, which is part of a centuries-old tradition associated with the Travancore royal family.The airport operator said passengers could check with their respective airlines for revised flight timings.Airport operations are suspended twice a year to facilitate the temple’s biannual ceremonial procession, which passes through the runway on its way to Shangumugham beach for the holy bath of the idols.The tradition dates back centuries and has continued even after the airport was established in 1932.According to historians, when the airport was built at the site, the then Travancore king, Sree Chithira Thirunal, had stipulated that it would remain open to the public for 363 days a year, with the remaining two days reserved for Lord Padmanabha, the titular deity of the royal family.The ritual has continued even after the Adani Group took over the management of the airport.(With Agency Inputs)
