President Droupadi Murmu performed the sacred ‘pinda daan’ ritual at the Shwetaganga tank in Puri, Odisha, offering rites for the salvation of her ancestors as part of her ongoing six‑day visit to the state. She then proceeded to the 12th‑century Sri Jagannath Temple, where she offered prayers and had darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.
Murmu arrived at Shwetaganga early in the morning and carried out the rituals before entering the temple through the southern gate, where she was welcomed by local dignitaries including Puri’s titular king, Gajapati Magaraja Dibyasingha Deb. The visit was accompanied by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and elaborate security arrangements were made across Puri to ensure smooth conduct of the programme.
During her visit, general darshan at the temple remained suspended until later in the morning to facilitate the President’s arrival and rituals. The Jagannath Temple Administration honoured her with traditional gifts including a Khandua silk cloth and a Pattachitra painting. After completing her engagements in Puri, President Murmu is scheduled to travel to her native Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district for further official programm
