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Special concession for Sabarimala pilgrims, devotees may carry coconuts

Sabarimala pilgrims carrying their sacred Irumudi Kettu with coconuts in cabin baggage pass through enhanced security checks as a special concession honors this traditional offering for Lord Ayyappa during the 2025 pilgrimage season.

Sabarimala

In a special concession to ease travel for Sabarimala pilgrims, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has announced that devotees may carry coconuts in their cabin baggage on flights until January 20, 2025. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu shared this news just weeks before the two-month Sabarimala pilgrimage season begins in mid-November, honoring the cultural and religious significance of coconuts in the offerings for Lord Ayyappa.

Traditionally, coconuts are restricted in cabin baggage due to safety regulations, as they are considered flammable. However, understanding the importance of coconuts in the religious ritual known as ‘Irumudi Kettu’ — a sacred bundle containing offerings, including a ghee-filled coconut — BCAS granted this exemption, though all coconuts must still pass through rigorous security checks.

Enhanced Security Measures for Safety Compliance

To ensure safety without compromising tradition, security measures will include X-ray screening, Explosive Trace Detector (ETD) testing, and physical inspection. Minister Naidu emphasized that while coconuts are now permissible in cabin baggage for pilgrims, all other standard security protocols remain in place. He added, "This exemption for coconuts in ‘Irumudi Kettu’ demonstrates our commitment to balancing tradition with safety, providing a convenient and respectful travel experience for devotees."

The Significance of the Sabarimala Pilgrimage

The annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala Temple, located in the hills of Kerala, is a deeply significant journey for millions of devotees who undertake it with offerings that hold special spiritual meaning. At the heart of this tradition is the ‘Irumudi Kettu,’ prepared during the ‘Kettunirakal’ ritual. Devotees fill one coconut with ghee for the deity, Lord Ayyappa, and carry additional coconuts to break at sacred locations along their pilgrimage route. Only those carrying the ‘Irumudi Kettu’ on their heads are allowed to ascend the temple’s sacred 18 steps, leading to the inner sanctum, while other visitors must take an alternate path.

Streamlining Travel with Online Booking

To improve crowd management, the Kerala government recently introduced mandatory online booking for the pilgrimage, allowing up to 80,000 devotees daily. Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan confirmed that spot bookings would not be available, and additional parking arrangements have been set up at Nilakkal and Erumeli to accommodate the large influx of pilgrims.

Broader Initiatives for Safe and Seamless Pilgrimage

As the pilgrimage season nears, the Civil Aviation Ministry has taken additional steps to streamline travel for devotees. Minister Naidu shared that over 7,000 special trains are being operated nationwide for Diwali and Chhath Puja, adding significant capacity to accommodate the festival rush. The seasonal allowance for coconuts in flights, paired with online bookings and crowd management facilities, aims to offer Sabarimala pilgrims a smoother journey while maintaining high safety standards.

This seasonal exception marks a unique alignment of modern travel logistics with long-standing spiritual practices, ensuring that devotees can honor their customs as they travel to the revered Sabarimala shrine. The concessions and security measures reflect the dedication of both the aviation and local Kerala authorities in accommodating this culturally significant pilgrimage with respect, safety, and convenience.

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