Pathanamthitta (Kerala): President Draupadi Murmu offered prayers at the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala on Wednesday. Dressed in traditional black attire and holding an Irumudikettu, the President climbed the sacred 18 steps (Pathinettampady) and had darshan of Lord Ayyappa amid tight security.
The President arrived in Pamba early in the morning, bathed in the holy river, and offered prayers at the Pamba Ganapathy Temple, where she performed the traditional Kettunira (Irumudikettu filling) ritual.
At the Sannidhanam, President Murmu was welcomed with a Poornakumbham by Thantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanar. The President’s pilgrimage, which was filled with devotion and simplicity, drew attention as a rare and significant moment. Especially the first citizen of the country climbing the sacred steps of Sabarimala. Earlier, the President departed from Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram at 7:30 am and arrived by helicopter at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium Ground in Pramadam, Pathanamthitta.
She was welcomed by Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan, MP Anto Antony, MLAs K.U. Janish Kumar and Pramod Narayanan, District Collector S. Prem Krishnan, and District Police Chief R. Anand. After completing the Sabarimala pilgrimage, the President will return to Thiruvananthapuram and attend a special dinner hosted by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan. President Murmu will also unveil the statue of former President K.R. Narayanan at Raj Bhavan on October 23 at 10:30 am. Several political and social leaders will attend the ceremony.
Later, at 12:50 pm, she will be the chief guest at the Sree Narayana Guru Maha Samadhi Centenary Conference in Sivagiri, Varkala. This is an event that will highlight the enduring relevance of the Guru’s reformist messages. Religious leaders and social reformers from various faiths will participate in the event. In the evening, the President will inaugurate the closing ceremony of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of St. Thomas College, Pala, and then spend the night at the Taj Resort in Kumarakom.
On October 24, the President will attend the centenary celebrations of St. Teresa’s College in Kochi as the chief guest. After lunch at Bolgatty Palace, she will depart by helicopter from the Naval Base for Cochin International Airport. Her four-day visit to Kerala will conclude with a return flight to New Delhi at 4:05 pm.
Extensive security arrangements have been made for the President’s visit to Sabarimala and surrounding areas. Personnel from the Special Protection Group (SPG), Kerala Police, and central security agencies jointly managed the security operations, ensuring smooth and safe movement during the pilgrimage.
