Sabarimala Pilgrims Granted Permission to Carry Coconuts in Cabin Baggage Until January 2025

Pilgrims heading to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala can now carry coconuts in their cabin baggage on flights until January 20, 2025. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced this change on Saturday. The Sabarimala pilgrimage season, lasting two months, will commence in mid-November. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has granted this temporary permission.

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Under current regulations, coconuts are typically not allowed in cabin baggage due to their flammable nature. However, an exemption has been made for the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage period. Minister Naidu stated that this decision aims to ease travel for Sabarimala pilgrims. The order will remain effective until January 20, 2025, with all necessary security protocols enforced.

Security Measures and Pilgrimage Details

Coconuts will only be permitted in the cabin after undergoing X-Ray, ETD Explosive Trace Detector, and physical checks. The Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala will open for the pilgrimage season in mid-November, continuing until late January. Each year, lakhs of devotees visit this hill shrine, most carrying the Irumudi Kettu—a sacred bag containing offerings like ghee-filled coconuts for the deity.

The preparation of Irumudi Kettu is part of a ritual called Kettunirakal. During this ritual, ghee is poured into a coconut and placed in the bag alongside other offerings. The bag also contains ordinary coconuts meant to be broken at various holy sites during the pilgrimage.

Significance of Irumudi Kettu

Only pilgrims carrying the Irumudi Kettu on their heads are permitted to ascend the 18 sacred steps leading to the temple's sanctum sanctorum. Those without it must use an alternative route to reach the sanctum sanctorum. This tradition underscores the importance of the Irumudi Kettu in the pilgrimage experience.

This exemption for carrying coconuts aims to facilitate a smoother journey for devotees participating in this significant religious event. By allowing coconuts in cabin baggage, authorities hope to accommodate pilgrims' needs while ensuring safety through stringent checks.