President Droupadi Murmu performs ancestral rituals in Puri, offers prayers at Jagannath temple

President Droupadi Murmu on her third day visit to Odisha beginning February 2 offered prayers in Puri, where she performed Pind Daan rituals and later visited the Sri Jagannath Temple.

Upon her arrival in the pilgrim town, the President first performed the traditional Pind Daan ceremony at Shvetaganga, a sacred site associated with ancestral rites. She then proceeded to the 12th-century 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 temple administration honoured the President by presenting her with Khandua silk and a Pattachitra painting, a traditional Odia art form. The Pattachitra featured detailed depictions of the Dashavatara, with Lord Jagannath at the centre.

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

After completing her engagements in Puri, President Murmu left for her native place Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district, aboard an Indian Air Force helicopter. During her stay there, she is scheduled to attend a series of official programmes over the next three days.

 As part of her itinerary, the President will inaugurate the Mahuldiha Holiday Home and is also scheduled to visit the Rairangpur Jagannath Temple on February 5. She is expected to return to New Delhi on February 7 after concluding her Odisha tour.