If you are going to visit Sabarimala in Kerala, then there is good news for you. Pilgrims visiting Sabarimala temple will be able to carry coconuts in their cabin baggage on flights till January 20, 2025. Aviation safety monitoring body Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has given its permission for a limited period. Under current rules, coconuts are not allowed in cabin baggage as they are inflammable, PTI reported. A senior official of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) gave this information on Friday.
Coconuts can be taken only after investigation
According to the news, one thing should be understood clearly here that the coconut will be allowed to be taken into the cabin only after necessary X-ray, ETD (Explosive Trace Detector) and physical examination. The Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala will open for a two-month long pilgrimage season in mid-November and the pilgrimage season will continue till the end of January. Every year lakhs of devotees visit the hill temple and most of them take with them 'Irumudi Kettu' (offerings made to the Lord, including a coconut filled with ghee).
'Irumudi Kettu' is prepared
Generally, people undertaking pilgrimage to Sabarimala prepare and pack 'Irumudi Kettu' as part of the 'Kettunirakal' ritual. During the ritual, ghee is filled inside the coconut, which is then placed in a bag along with other offerings. The bag also contains some simple coconuts to break at various holy places during the pilgrimage. Only pilgrims carrying 'Irumudi Kettu' on their heads are allowed to climb the 18 sacred steps to reach the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Those who do not carry it have to take a different route to reach the sanctum sanctorum.
Image Credit: India-Tv.