Puri: Elaborate arrangements are being made for the two-day visit of President Droupadi Murmu to the pilgrim town of Puri during which she is slated to offer prayers at Shree Jagannath Temple.
The President is scheduled to perform Pindadan at the sacred Swetaganga Pushkarani and offer prayers at Jagannath Temple during her visit to Puri, Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Arabinda Kumar Padhee said on Tuesday.
After a preparatory meeting of Chattisa Nijoga ahead of the President’s visit, he told reporters that Murmu will reach the Talabania Helipad in the evening of February 3 and have a nig
ht halt at the Puri Lok Bhavan.
On February 4, she will perform Pindadan at Swetaganga at 7 am and then offer prayers at Jagannath Temple, he added.
As per her schedule, the President will reach Singhadwara of the temple at 7.40 am and she will be received by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, Puri district collector, Superintendent of Police (SP), and members of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee and Chattisa Nijoga.
He further said that near the Sata Pahacha (seven steps), the Pandit will recite the Vedas in the presence of the Palia Sevayat while the President will go to the Garbha Griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) through the Dhukudi Dwara (southern gate) of the temple and have darshan of Lord Jagannath and his siblings.
In view of the President’s visit, it was decided to open the main gate of the temple at 4 am for smooth darshan, while the cleaning of the shrine will be done at 6 am.
The general public darshan at the temple will be suspended for two hours during the President’s visit, the SJTA chief said.