Jajpur: In a deeply spiritual and personal moment during her ongoing six-day visit to her home state of Odisha, President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday performed ‘Pinda Daan’ ritual at Nabhi Gaya, a revered site within the premises of Maa Biraja Temple in Jajpur district.
Nabhi Gaya, considered one of the prominent Pitru Tirthas, pilgrimage sites for ancestral rites, holds significance similar to Pada Gaya in Andhra Pradesh and Shira Gaya in Bihar for offering oblations to departed ancestors.
According to sources, the President arrived at the 13th-century Shakti Peetha at 9.50 am. She paid obeisance at the Singhadwara and then took part in the shraddha ritual to pay homage to her ancestors. She symbolically offered a silver cow and presented ‘Dakshina’ to eleven Brahmins following customary practices. The ritual, which lasted for around 45 minutes, was conducted by priests Saroj Kumar Pati, Abinash Pani, S
atyaranjan Pani and Kalyan Pani under the supervision of priest Himanshu Sekhar Pati Mishra.
Following which, Murmu had darshan of Maa Biraja, the presiding deity, and offered prayers at the temple. “The President prayed for about 20 minutes. She has invited four priests who performed the ‘Pinda Daan’ ritual to Rashtrapati Bhawan,” said Pati.
The President also reviewed the ongoing Maa Biraja Temple beautification project, which includes the restoration of Brahmakunda, the establishment of Biraja Haat, and facilities such as lecture halls, dharamshalas, and an interpretation centre.
Elaborate security arrangements were in place, with around 600 personnel deployed. Massive crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the President as she arrived by helicopter. General public darshan was briefly halted at the temple, and schools in Jajpur town were closed for the day to ensure smooth arrangements and tight security during the high-profile visit, the first-ever by a President to the district.