Alpashi Arattu festival: Govt declares local holiday tomorrow, traffic restrictions from 3 pm

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government offices in the capital city will remain closed after 3 pm on Thursday, considering the Arattu procession in accordance with the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Alpashi festival. Traffic restrictions have also been imposed from 3 pm tomorrow to 10 pm.

The festival includes a procession and culminates in the Aarattu ritual, where deities are taken to Shangumugham Beach for a sacred sea bath. Traffic restrictions have been imposed on the road from Vettimuricha Kotta-Vazhapally Junction-Mithranandapuram to Fort School, and on the road from Padinjarae Nada- Enchakkal -Vallakadavu to Arattu Gate.

Vehicles are not allowed to park on either side of these roads. Vehicles parked illegally will be removed using a recovery vehicle, and legal action will be taken.

Traffic will be disrupted at the Enchakkal junction on the Kazhakoottam-Kovalam bypass road when the procession crosses the road in the direction towards the beach. Vehicles passing through the Vazhappally junction, Padinjarae Kotta, Sreekantheswaram Park, Padmavilasam Road and Kothalam junction will be diverted from 3 pm in connection with the Aarattu procession.

Motorists trying to reach Shangumukham Domestic Airport should take Kallummoodu, Ponnara and Valiyathura. For information on traffic arrangements, contact 0471-2558731 and 9497990005.