Puri: President Droupadi Murmu today visited the Sri Jaganath temple here to offer Puja before Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
Like a normal Jagannath devotee, the President walked on the Grand Road and entered into the 12th century shire through Lions Gate after offering prayer at the Garuda Stamba.
President was received by Gajapati Dibya Singha Deb and Chief Administrator SJTA, Dr.Arabinda Kumar Padhee at Lion’s Gate.
She passed through the Baisi Pahacha and entered the main temple. She had darshan of the Trinity and performed puja at the temple.
She offered Tulsi to Lord Jagannath. She prayed to Lord Jaganath for the wellbeing and prosperity of all, said a senior Sevayat.
After spending some time in the temple, Shrimati Murmu came out from the temple gate in front of the Mukti Mandap.
She also offered prayers before Maa Bimala, Sakhi Gopal, Maa Laxmi and other deities in the temple complex.
A flag was tied in her name atop the temple seeking blessings for the country, said the servitor.
“I prayed for the well-being and prosperity of all citizens across the state and the country before Lord Jagannath,” the President told the media.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, accompanied the President after she alighted from her motorcade and walked along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to the Srimandir.
Speaking to the mediapersons, Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Dr Arabinda Padhee said that the shrine was closed to the general public for about an hour during her visit.
The President walked to the temple like any other devotee. She also offered prayers at the Goddess Bimala and Maa Mahalaxmi sub-shrines on the temple complex, Dr Padhee said.
Dr.Padhee is camping at Puri and supervising the arrangments for President of India visit to Srimandir and coordinated the entire visit, said a senior priest of Shri Jagannatha Temple.
The first lady of the country will partake in Mahaprasad at Raj Bhawan. The SJTA officials apprised her about the steps being taken by the administration to ensure smooth darshan of the deities for the public, he added.
A large crowd had gathered along the road to welcome the President. After paying her respects at the temple, the President attended the 75th-anniversary celebration of the Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya at Puri.
In her address, the President urged the students to research the untouched aspects of Ayurveda. She said that research would increase recognition of this ancient medical system across the world.
As per the programme she will grace the Navy Day celebrations as the Chief Guest of the event on the Blue Flag Beach Puri in the afternoon.