President Droupadi Murmu's Spiritual Visit to Odisha's Jagannath Temple
A Spiritual Start to the Day
On the third day of her visit to Odisha, President Droupadi Murmu began her day with deep spiritual devotion. After spending the night in Puri, she performed a ritual at the sacred Shweta Ganga Kund, offering prayers for her ancestors' souls. This took place early in the morning, around 7 AM, as she sought peace for her forebears.
Welcomed at Jagannath Temple
At 7:40 AM, the President arrived at the Singhadwara of the Shri Jagannath Temple, where she was warmly received by Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingh Deb. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Arvind Kumar Padhi, the chief administrator of the temple, were also present. To accommodate the President's visit, the temple was closed to the general public.
Entering the Temple
Accompanied by her family, President Murmu entered the temple through the Dhukudi Dwara (southern gate) and offered her prayers at the sanctum sanctorum, where she paid her respects to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. This marked her fourth visit to the temple since taking office. The chief administrator noted that the President lit a lamp and prayed in the sanctum, and the temple administration hoisted a flag in honor of her wishes.
Engaging with the Public
Following her prayers, the President interacted with the gathered crowd outside the temple. In light of her visit, stringent security measures were implemented throughout the temple and the city of Puri. The temple administration presented her with a sacred cloth and a Patta Chitra as gifts. Later in the day, President Murmu is scheduled to visit her ancestral home in Rairangpur, located in the Mayurbhanj district.