President Murmu To Make Rail Pilgrimage To Odisha's Sacred Tribal Shrine
Special train, unprecedented security and spiritual significance mark President's visit to Maa Kandhuni Devi Temple at Taptapani: Reports
BHUBANESWAR: President Droupadi Murmu will undertake a unique rail pilgrimage on Tuesday to the revered Maa Kandhuni Devi Temple at Taptapani in Odisha's Ganjam district, with Indian Railways putting in place an extraordinary security and operational plan for the high-profile journey.
A special train has arrived from New Delhi to ferry the President from Bhubaneswar to Berhampur, from where she will travel 80 kilometres by road to the sacred tribal shrine nestled amid the Eastern Ghats. The train is expected to cover the journey in about two hours and ten minutes.
As part of the elaborate security protocol, the President's train will be escorted by another train, while no other trains will be permitted on the same route during its movement. Railway Police, under the supervision of the Railway Superintendent of Police, have deployed three Deputy Superintendents of Police along with specially selected personnel to guard the entire corridor.
Railway authorities said extensive arrangements have been made to ensure the President's movement remains seamless without causing undue inconvenience to regular passengers.
“Under the prescribed SOP and security protocol, the special train will run from Bhubaneswar to Berhampur. The journey will take a little over two hours,” East Coast Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Deepak Raut said.
Railway SP Vivekananda Sharma said security would be tightened across all major railway installations en route. "A high alert will be enforced two hours before the President's departure. Since the route passes through elephant corridors, we have coordinated with the Forest Department to monitor wildlife movement and prevent any disruption," he said, adding that a dedicated entrance has been created for the President while separate access points will remain open for the public.
The President's destination, the Maa Kandhuni Devi Temple near the famed Taptapani hot sulphur springs, is one of southern Odisha's most revered tribal shrines. Though modest in appearance, the temple occupies a prominent place in the region's religious and cultural landscape.
The presiding deity, Maa Kandhuni Devi, is worshipped as the guardian goddess who blesses devotees with peace, prosperity, good health and protection from adversity. Every day, pilgrims offer flowers, coconuts and incense, while festivals transform the shrine into a vibrant centre of tribal faith, echoing with traditional music, folk dances and centuries-old rituals.
A distinctive feature of the pilgrimage is the nearby Taptapani hot sulphur springs. Devotees traditionally begin their visit with a ritual bath in the mineral-rich waters, believing the springs purify the body and prepare them spiritually before offering prayers at the temple.
President Murmu's visit has brought the shrine into the national spotlight, with local residents hoping the occasion will boost recognition of the region's rich tribal heritage, spiritual traditions and tourism potential.
