THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The world-renowned Arattu procession of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple has been cancelled this year. Instead of the usual colorful procession carrying idol for Arattu towards Shangumugam, a ritual existing ever since the time of royal rule, it is decided to perform Arattu in the Padmatheertham pond that lies in front of the temple. Rituals like Palivetta and kalashangal relating to the festival too will be performed in a constrained manner.

It has also been decided to avoid Palivetta and ezhunallathu towards vettakullam and these rituals will be performed within the proximity of the temple. Every year along with the Arattu of Sree Padhmanabha Swamy Temple four other temples also conduct their Arattu rituals in Shangumugham. Considering the current decision the other four temples including Sreevaraham will be switching the rituals to Padmatheertham pond.

The uniqueness of the festival is that the Arattu procession passes through the Trivandrum International Airport. Owing to the festival, usually, the airport shuts down its services for two days every year. Painkuni and Alpassi are the two festivals conducted in the temple. Alpassi festival falls on October 15 and Painkuni was to be held in March but it was also postponed. Following these changes the temple authority decided to avoid the Arattu procession and thus limiting the festival to its basic rituals. The Alpassi festival which is supposed to be held in October will be deferred considering the intensity of the spread of COVID-19.

Adhering to COVID protocols devotees were not allowed to enter the temple since March. Now, in the wake of lockdown relaxations, the temple authority has permitted the restricted entry of devotees. But the devotees need to do prior online booking inorder to enter the temple and only 650 people are allowed in a day.