Flight’s aerial ‘pradakshina’ over Tirumala sparks online buzz

Tirupati: A video showing an IndiGo aircraft appearing to circle near the Tirumala hills has drawn widespread attention online, prompting clarification from the pilot who said the manoeuvre was a routine aviation procedure carried out during the flight’s descent to Chennai.

The incident took place on March 30 when an IndiGo flight 6E348, travelling from Ahmedabad to Chennai approached the southern coast for landing.

Passengers on board were surprised to witness a sweeping aerial view of the Tirumala hills, a sacred destination associated with Lord Venkateswara, turning an otherwise routine journey into a memorable experience.

Many travellers, including pilgrims returning from religious visits, described the moment as emotionally moving as the aircraft passed near the hill range, offering a rare view from above.

The visuals later circulated widely on social media, leading to speculation about whether the aircraft had deliberately flown over the temple area.

Captain Manjeet Singh, who piloted the flight, addressed the discussions through a social media post, stating that the aircraft operated fully within aviation norms.

He clarified that Tirupati airspace is not restricted, though airlines usually avoid flying directly above the temple precincts out of respect for religious sentiments and to maintain safety and serenity.

Explaining the technical aspects, the pilot said the aircraft had begun descending from nearly 22,000 feet while approaching Chennai from the north.

Because of the relatively short flying distance between Tirupati and Chennai, air traffic control required a brief holding pattern lasting a few minutes to ensure a gradual and safe descent before landing.

He added that all necessary permissions were obtained from Air Traffic Control authorities and that the aircraft maintained a safe altitude of around 15,000 feet or higher throughout the manoeuvre. The apparent closeness to the hills in the viral video, he noted, was largely due to camera zoom and favourable visibility conditions.

Sharing a personal note, Captain Singh said the moment carried special meaning for him.

“Years ago I visited Tirumala temple with one dream that I wanted to be a pilot. I still remember I was circling the temple with folded hands, chanting Govinda Govinda. And today, I am circling Tirumala in the sky as a pilot. Isn’t it so beautiful,” he said in a video on Instagram.