The Mayurbhanj visitors’ log book in Puri Srimandir has a special entry in its ageing pages. After Droupadi Murmu’s ascension to the President of India, the Mayurbhanj district log book became extra special for its moderators or Pandas.
Before adorning the President’s chair, Murmu served as the Governor of Jharkhand and as a Minister of Odisha. If her earlier visits to Srimandir brought joy for Mayurbhanj priests, the upcoming visit bears a special significance as she will be visiting as the President of India.
The ancestral pandas of Mayurbhanj are ecstatic with the news of her visit on November 10.
Speaking to OTV, Mayurbhanj’s priest at Srimandir, Debi Prasad Mohapatra said, “I felt extremely proud when Droupadi Murmu’s name was announced as the President of India. As per the government and Srimandir protocol, we will make sure President Murmu avails her Darshan of Lord Jagannath with ease.”
Similarly, another servitor, Rajratan Mohapatra said, “I feel proud because I belong to the same district as her (Murmu). From a small tribal infested village in Rairangpur to Raisina hills, she is a real example.”
“As a priest hailing from Mayurbhanj, I want development of Mayurbhanj too. This visitors’ book has messages written by President Murmu’s family members; from her father to her late husband and in-laws. Murmu herself has visited the temple three times earlier. This log book has messages from all her visits,” Mohapatra added.
President Droupadi Murmu will come to Odisha on a two-day visit starting November 10. This will be her first visit to the State after assuming the office of President of India.
According to sources, President Murmu will reach Bhubaneswar on November 10 morning and will go straight to Puri Srimandir to seek obeisance of Holy Trinity. Later, she will return to Bhubaneswar and where she will be accorded civic reception at Raj Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.
(Reported By Madhusudan Mishra, OTV)