Bhubaneswar, 04 February (H.S.): President Droupadi Murmu, on the third day of her visit to Odisha, offered prayers at the 12th-century Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri on Tuesday after performing traditional ancestral rites.

Upon arriving in the pilgrim town, the President first conducted Pind Daan rituals at Shvetaganga, a sacred site associated with ancestral offerings. She later proceeded to the Sri Jagannath Temple to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath.

During the temple visit, President Murmu was accompanied by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. After the darshan, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration honoured the President with Khandua silk and a Pattachitra painting—an iconic Odia art form. The artwork depicted the Dashavatara, with Lord Jagannath featured prominently at the centre.

In view of the President’s visit, public darshan at the temple was suspended until 10 am to facilitate security arrangements and ensure the smooth conduct of rituals, including the Gopal Vallabh Bhog. Security was significantly tightened in and around the temple premises throughout the visit.

Following her engagements in Puri, President Murmu departed for her native place, Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district, aboard an Indian Air Force helicopter. She is scheduled to attend a series of official 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, concluding her Odisha tour.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda