Bhubaneswar, February 4: On the morning of her third day in the state, President Droupadi Murmu performed the sacred ‘Pinda Daan’ ritual at the renowned Sweta Ganga tank in Puri, followed by a visit to the Shree Jagannath Temple. The ritual was conducted for the salvation of her ancestors' souls.

Arriving at Sweta Ganga at 7 AM, the President began her spiritual activities after spending the night at the Lok Bhavan in Puri. At around 7:40 AM, she made her way to the Jagannath Temple, where she was warmly welcomed by the Temple’s titular king, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee were also present.

At the temple, President Murmu offered prayers in the sanctum sanctorum, lighting a lamp (‘deepa’) and paying her respects to the deities. She also visited the shrines of Maa Bimala and Maa Laxmi within the temple complex. In a ceremonial gesture, the administration hoisted the Patitapaban Bana flag atop the temple, symbolizing the fulfillment of the President’s wishes.

After the ‘Darshan,’ the President interacted with the gathered devotees outside the temple. Extensive security measures were put in place to ensure a smooth visit. The temple administration honored her with a ‘khandua’ (sacred cloth) and a traditional ‘patachitra’ painting as a token of reverence.

Later in the day, President Murmu is scheduled to visit her hometown, Rairangpur, in Mayurbhanj district.