Pilgrims visiting the Sabarimala temple can carry coconuts in their hand luggage on flights

Pilgrims going to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala will be allowed to carry coconuts in their hand luggage until January 20, 2025, announced Minister of Civil Aviation K. Rammohan Naidu on October 26. The two-month pilgrimage season in Sabarimala will begin in mid-November.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has granted temporary permission to pilgrims to carry coconuts in their hand luggage during this period. Traditionally, carrying coconuts in hand luggage is prohibited due to safety regulations as they are flammable.

To facilitate travel for those visiting the Sabarimala temple, the Civil Aviation Minister said an exception has been made to allow “carrying of coconuts in ‘Irumudi’ as hand luggage during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage period.” This policy will remain in effect until January 20, 2025, while maintaining all required safety protocols, he said in a post on X.

In order to facilitate the journey of Sabarimala pilgrims, we have issued a special exemption allowing the carriage of coconuts in ‘Irumudi’ as hand luggage during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage period. This order will be in force until January 20, 2025, with… pic.twitter.com/OZcmSMhXa4

— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) October 26, 2024

Before carrying the coconuts into the cabin, pilgrims will have to undergo necessary checks, including X-ray examinations, Explosive Trace Detector (ETD) tests and physical checks.

The temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa will be opened for the pilgrimage season in mid-November and will remain operational until the end of January. Every year, millions of devotees visit the hill temple and many bring with them “Irumudi Kettu” – a sacred bag filled with offerings including a ghee-filled coconut for the deity.

Usually, pilgrims prepare ‘Irumudi Kettu’ as part of the ‘Kettunirakal’ ritual. During this ritual, the coconut is filled with ghee and placed in a bag along with other offerings, including several ordinary coconuts to be broken at various holy places during the pilgrimage.

Only those who wear ‘Irumudi Kettu’ on their head can climb the 18 sacred steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Pilgrims without ‘Irumudi Kettu’ have to use an alternative path to reach the inner sanctum.