For a few hours, following a heavenly procession known as Painkuni Utsavam, jets stopped and silence returned to the skies over Thiruvananthapuram’s international airport. According to popular belief, the airport was closed to accommodate Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple procession that marches directly over its runway, not because of bad weather or a technical problem.

Along a 2km (1.2 mile) portion of the runway, devotees pull elegant wooden chariots ornamented with temple idols. This custom is so loved that it temporarily stops airport operations, which typically handle 90 landings and takeoffs every day. Elephants often walk the runway as part of Hindu festivals in India.

The famous Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, which is home to treasures worth at billions of rupees, held the event April 11 as part of its annual Painkuni festival.