Guruvayur: Vehicle "poojas" for two-wheelers and luxury cars and buses are a regular feature in Kerala's famed Guruvayur temple. But the temple town on Thursday witnessed a very curious and rarely-happening "vehicle pooja".

The "pooja" for the luxury helicopter bought by RP Group chairman B Ravi Pillai at a cost of Rs.100 crore was performed at the helipad of Sree Krishna College Ground, Ariyannur near the temple town.

The brand new H-145 D 3 Airbus landed at the helipad near Guruvayur on Thursday at 3 pm. The pooja was performed after stationing the helicopter in the direction of the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple.

Pazhayam Sumesh Namboothiri, Gurvayur temple Oathikan and former Melsanthi, performed the "pooja".

The front portion of the helicopter was adorned with floral garlands. Later, "arathi" was performed. Finally, "kalabham" was applied to the airbus.

Ravi Pillai, his son Ganesh Ravi Pillai, airbus captains Sunil Kannoth and Jiji Kumar, Mallisseri Parameshwaran Namboothiripad and astrologer Peringodu Sankaranarayanan attended the "pooja".

Ravi Pillai later told "Manorama" that the Guruvayoor trip was his first journey in the airbus.

Actor Mohanlal travelled along with Ravi Pillai in the airbus from Kollam to Kochi.

After a visit to the Guruvayoor temple, Ravi Pillai and his son returned to Kollam in the airbus on Friday morning.

High-level security was given to the helicopter at Sree Krishna College Ground on Thursday.