President Droupadi Murmu Performs Ancestral Rites In Puri, Offers Prayers At Jagannath Temple
On the third day of her Odisha tour, which began on February 2, the President first performed the traditional Pind Daan ceremony at Shvetaganga, a sacred water body closely associated with ancestral rites: Reports
BHUBANESWAR: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday observed age-old ancestral rituals in the holy town of Puri and offered prayers at the revered 12th-century Sri Jagannath Temple, marking a spiritually significant moment during her ongoing visit to Odisha.
On the third day of her Odisha tour, which began on February 2, the President first performed the traditional Pind Daan ceremony at Shvetaganga, a sacred water body closely associated with ancestral rites.
The solemn ritual, rooted in centuries-old Hindu tradition, was conducted amid tight security and in accordance with prescribed customs. From there, President Murmu proceeded to the Sri Jagannath Temple to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath, drawing quiet reverence from devotees gathered in the pilgrim town.
The President was accompanied during the temple visit by Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Following the darshan, the temple administration accorded her a ceremonial honour, presenting her with traditional Khandua silk and an intricately crafted Pattachitra painting. The artwork depicted the Dashavatara, with Lord Jagannath at its centre, reflecting Odisha’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.
In view of the high-profile visit, public darshan at the temple was suspended until 10 am to ensure elaborate security arrangements and the uninterrupted conduct of rituals, including the Gopal Vallabh Bhog. Security measures were significantly intensified in and around the temple complex.
After completing her engagements in Puri, President Murmu travelled to her native place, Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district, aboard an Indian Air Force helicopter. She is scheduled to attend a series of official and cultural programmes there over the next three days.
As part of her itinerary, the President will inaugurate the Mahuldiha Holiday Home and visit the Rairangpur Jagannath Temple on February 5. She is expected to return to New Delhi on February 7 after concluding her visit to the state.
