Chennai: The Civil Aviation Department has extended concessions to Ayyappa devotees’ travelling by plane for the Sabarimala pilgrimage. Devotees travelling to Kerala from Chennai can now carry coconuts filled with ghee in their hands. This concession is granted to Ayyappa devotees until January 15.
While flammable items are typically restricted on flights, including ghee and coconuts, due to their high oil content, the Civil Aviation Department has temporarily relaxed these rules in response to the specific needs of Ayyappa devotees.
As preparations for the Sabarimala yatra are underway, thousands of people, including Keralites from Chennai and nearby areas, are gearing up for the pilgrimage. In addition to buses, trains, and private vehicles, many devotees plan to travel by plane. The ability to carry coconuts and ghee in ‘Irumudiket’ during air travel addresses a common challenge faced by pilgrims, especially since four coconuts are traditionally broken at various locations during the pilgrimage.
The decision by civil aviation authorities is particularly beneficial for those taking flights from Chennai to Kochi, where many then proceed to Pampa by road. With five daily flights from Chennai to Kochi, there has been an increased demand for tickets since the beginning of the Mandalkalam.
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