Sabarimala pilgrims can carry irumudi in flights now

New Delhi: Pilgrims going to Sabarimala temple in Kerala can carry coconuts in cabin baggage in flights, with aviation security regulator BCAS relaxing the norms for a limited period.

A senior official of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) said the permission has been given for the ongoing Sabarimala season that is to end in late January.

Lakhs of devotees visit the hill shrine every year and majority of them carry 'Irumudi Kettu' (the sacred bag containing offerings, including coconut filled with ghee, to the Lord). The official also said that additional security measures and checks have been put in place in this regard. Under current norms, coconuts are not permitted in cabin baggage on the grounds that they are flammable.

Generally, those undertaking the pilgrimage to Sabarimala prepare and pack 'Irumudi Kettu' as part of the 'Kettunirakal' ritual. During the ritual, ghee is filled inside a coconut, which is then kept in the bag along with other offerings.

The bag would also have few ordinary coconuts to be broken at various holy spots during the pilgrimage, according to the Sabarimala temple website.Only those pilgrims who carry the 'Irumudi Kettu' on the head are allowed to climb the 18 sacred steps to reach the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

Those not carrying it have to take a different passage to reach the sanctum sanctorum. The Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala opened for the two-month long pilgrimage season on November 16. The annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season will end on January 20.