Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati and First Lady Jayashree visited Sambalpur and offered prayers at the Maa Samaleswari Temple on Saturday.
The Governor and First Lady participated in special rituals on the auspicious occasion of Mahalaya, when Maa Samaleswari adorns the holy Dhabalmukhi Besha (white-faced appearance).
He sought blessings from the goddess, praying for the welfare, peace and overall prosperity of the people of Odisha.
“Sought the blessings of Maa Samaleswari at the Maa Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur, praying for peace, prosperity and the well-being of the people of Odisha,” the Governor posted on X along with pictures.
Sought the blessings of Maa Samaleswari at the Maa Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur, praying for peace, prosperity and the well-being of the people of Odisha. https://t.co/NuaMLI4Yk5
— Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati (@DrHariBabuK) October 10, 2026
Thousands of devotees from across the state gathered at the temple to witness the grand attiring of the goddess.
Earlier in the day, the Governor and First Lady visited the Hirakud Dam, the massive reservoir built across Mahanadi river. Dr Kambhampati appreciated the scale of the historic dam and its vital contribution to the state’s agriculture, flood management and power generation.