The Indian airport that halts flights for a divine procession

On a warm April day, the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India, experienced a unique event that caused flights to pause for a few hours. This was not due to bad weather or any technical issues, but rather to allow a Hindu temple procession to march across the airport's runway. Devotees, who are followers of the Hindu faith, pulled beautifully decorated wooden chariots that carried idols of deities along a 2-kilometer stretch of the runway. This tradition is so cherished that it necessitates the temporary closure of airport operations, which typically sees around 90 flights landing and taking off each day. Elephants, often seen in Hindu religious celebrations, also participated in the procession, walking along the runway. This event, which took place last Friday, is part of the annual Painkuni festival celebrated at the renowned Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, a temple known for its immense wealth and significance. The procession occurs on the final day of the 10-day festival, beginning at the temple and making its way to Shanghumugham beach, located approximately 6 kilometers away. Upon reaching the beach, priests perform a ritual bath for the idols in the sea. The procession then retraces its steps, crossing the runway once more before returning to the temple. The head of the former royal family of Travancore, which was responsible for the airport's construction in 1932, leads the procession. While the exact origins of the festival and procession are unclear, it has been a long-standing tradition, continuing even as the airport's management transitioned from government to private ownership. Currently, the airport is managed by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd, a company owned by billionaire Gautam Adani. In addition to the Painkuni festival, the airport also temporarily halts operations for a similar procession during the Alpashi Festival, which typically occurs in October or November. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is one of the few airports globally that closes for a religious event. Other airports that have similar practices include Ngurah Rai Airport in Indonesia during the Balinese Hindu new year and Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. However, these closures are usually on public holidays, making it rare for a high-security runway to be used for a religious or cultural event. The procession has been a part of the airport's history since its establishment in 1932, with elephants adorned in jewelry and flowers walking through the runway. Rahul Bhatkoti, the chief airport officer, expressed pride in the airport's role in preserving this historic event, stating, 'This is likely the only airport in the world which facilitates such a historic event. ' Due to the airport's single runway, both domestic and international terminals were closed during the procession. Most international flights at this airport connect to the Middle East, where a significant number of Indian workers, including many from Kerala, reside and work. Airport authorities notified airlines about the closure two months in advance, resulting in the rescheduling of 10 flights on the day of the event. The procession commenced around 4:45 PM local time and took approximately four hours to complete. Attendance at the event was limited and closely monitored, with only senior members of the royal family, priests, officials, and selected devotees permitted to participate. These individuals were required to obtain special passes from the temple trust and security clearance from airport authorities. Mahesh Balachandran, the executive officer of the temple, noted, 'The procession passes through the airport with full ritualistic vigor twice a year during the Painkuni and Alpashi festivals. ' He emphasized that the procession proceeds peacefully without any incidents, as everything is meticulously planned. The Central Industrial Security Force, responsible for airport security, set up barricades along the entire runway for safety and managed the crowds effectively. Authorities also monitored the crowd using surveillance cameras and conducted thorough inspections of the runway after the procession. The procession passing through the airport serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and traditions that are deeply rooted in the community of Thiruvananthapuram.