Temporary Closure of Runway at Trivandrum Airport for Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Arattu Festival
Thiruvananthapuram: In view of the Painkuni Arattu ceremonial procession of the revered Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the runway at the Trivandrum International Airport will remain closed on April 11 from 4:45 PM to 9:00 PM. Both domestic and international flight schedules during this period have been rescheduled, according to airport authorities.
Travelers are advised to check with their respective airlines for updated flight timings.
The Painkuni Festival spans ten days, commencing with the ceremonial flag hoisting (kodiyettu). Each day is marked by special rituals and offerings.
On the festival's ninth day, the head of the Travancore Royal Family performs the palli vetta (royal hunt).
The Arattu procession begins in the evening from the western entrance of the temple and proceeds to Shankhumukham Beach, coinciding with sunset. In a rare and culturally significant tradition, the procession crosses the airport runway, necessitating a temporary halt in airport operations—a practice that has been followed for many years to preserve the sanctity of the event.
The ritual of bath (Arattu) of the deities is conducted under moonlight at Shankhumukham. Once the ceremony is completed, the procession returns to the temple by around 9 PM.
The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, hosts two major annual festivals—one during the Malayalam month of Thulam and the other in Meenam. These are known respectively as the Alppashi Utsavam and the Painkuni Utsavam. Both festivals last for ten days and conclude with the Arattu ritual.
The Painkuni Arattu commences on the Rohini star of the Meenam month, marked by the ceremonial flag hoisting, and concludes on the Atham star with the sea bath ritual. The procession exits through the temple’s western entrance and passes through West Fort, Eanchakkal, and Vallakkadavu before reaching Shankhumukham Beach.
The deities taken in procession include Sree Padmanabhaswamy, Sree Krishna, and Sree Narasimhaswamy. The ritual is led by the Maharaja of Travancore, accompanied by temple priests, officials, traditional cavalry, and musical ensembles. The Varaha deity from the Sree Varaham Temple joins the Painkuni Arattu, while the Alppashi Arattu includes the Parashurama deity from the Thiruvalla temple.