Camphor (kapoor) is treated as a flammable item and several Indian airlines, including Air India, list it as prohibited in both cabin and checked baggage. Agarbatti and incense sticks are generally allowed, though some airports restrict them in cabin baggage and prefer them checked. Liquids like ghee still fall under the 100 ml cabin rule, and idols should be checked for packing rather than banned outright.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
With Diwali falling on Sunday, 8 November 2026, a lot of pooja items will be travelling in checked bags this season. Festival travel often means carrying things you would not normally think of as baggage questions: a thali, a small idol, a box of sweets, and the usual camphor and agarbatti for the puja itself. Here is what tends to cause a question at security, and what generally does not.
Is camphor (kapoor) allowed on a flight?
Treat camphor as a flammable solid, not an ordinary pooja item. Air India’s restricted baggage guidelines list camphor directly under flammable items as prohibited. It is a chemical compound that can ignite under certain conditions, which is exactly the kind of risk airlines screen out of both cabin and checked baggage. If your pooja kit includes camphor tablets, the safer approach is to buy a fresh pack after you land rather than carry it with you, since rules can differ by airline and getting it confiscated at security is the more likely outcome either way. Camphor is widely sold near temples and in general stores across India, so there is rarely a need to carry it with you across a security checkpoint in the first place.
What about agarbatti and incense sticks?
Incense sticks are generally treated more leniently than camphor, since they are not usually classified the same way as a concentrated flammable solid. Several airport social media accounts in India have reminded passengers that incense products are not allowed in cabin baggage but can go in checked baggage, reflecting the general approach most Indian airports take. If you are carrying a full box of agarbatti for the festival, pack it in your checked bag rather than your cabin bag to avoid a question at the security tray.
Ghee, diyas and liquids used in pooja
Ghee is a liquid for airport security purposes and follows the same cabin rule as any other liquid: generally not permitted loose in cabin baggage beyond the 100 ml limit, though checked baggage allowances are more generous as long as it is sealed and well packed to avoid leaks. Clay or metal diyas themselves are not a security issue, but if they come pre-filled with oil, treat the oil the same way you would treat ghee. Empty diyas travel without any special restriction.
Idols, kumkum and other festival items
Statues and idols are not banned, but fragile or heavy idols are best suited to checked baggage with careful packing, since airlines are not liable for damage to items like this inside cabin bags and often restrict breakable items from the cabin for everyone’s safety. Kumkum and other pooja powders are not subject to a specific limit on Indian domestic flights the way liquids are, but keep them in a sealed container as you would for any loose powder. If you are carrying sweets for the festival as well, dry sweets generally travel without any special restriction, while anything with a wet or creamy filling is safer in checked baggage, packed firmly enough that it does not shift or leak during handling.
A quick note on kirpans
If your festival travel also involves carrying a kirpan, that follows its own separate set of rules, generally permitted only on domestic flights and only within specific size limits set by aviation security, rather than the general pooja-item guidance in this post. Check the specific kirpan rules separately if that applies to you.
Common Questions
Will camphor definitely be confiscated if I pack it?
It is likely to be, since at least one major Indian carrier explicitly lists it as a prohibited flammable item. Treat it as something to buy at your destination rather than carry.
Can I carry a full box of agarbatti in checked baggage?
Generally yes, in checked baggage. Keep it out of your cabin bag, since several Indian airports have specifically flagged incense as a cabin restriction even where checked baggage is fine.
How much ghee can I carry for pooja purposes?
In cabin baggage, treat it like any liquid: up to 100 ml. In checked baggage, airlines generally allow larger sealed quantities, but pack it well to prevent leaks onto other items.
Are matches or small diyas with wicks allowed?
Matches are treated as a flammable item and several Indian carriers keep them out of both cabin and checked baggage, though a small quantity carried on your person rather than inside a bag is sometimes permitted. Check with your airline rather than assuming either way. Diyas themselves, without fuel or a lit wick, are not a security issue.
Can I carry a heavy brass or marble idol in my cabin bag?
It is better in checked baggage, both because of weight and because airlines are typically cautious about fragile, heavy items in the cabin. Pack it securely to avoid damage during handling.
Does the same camphor rule apply to international flights?
Camphor’s flammability does not change by route, so treat it as a likely no on international flights as well, and check your specific airline’s dangerous goods policy if you plan to carry any amount of it.
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Dangerous goods and baggage rules vary by airline and can change. Verify current specifics with your airline or BCAS before you travel.
