President Droupadi Murmu made her first official visit to Jajpur district, where she offered prayers at the historic Biraja Temple and performed pind daan rituals for her ancestors at Nabhi Gaya.
Arriving by Air Force helicopter at Kusuma helipad around 9:30 a.m., the President was warmly welcomed by Governor Dr Haribabu Kambhamapati, ministers, MPs, MLAs, and senior officials. She then proceeded under tight security to the Biraja Temple. There, she performed pind daan with the assistance of four priests, followed by a one-hour puja. She later visited other shrines, including Gangeswar, Mukteswar, Sanhar Bhairav, and the 108 Shiva Lingas, before receiving blessings at the Mukti Mandap Sabha.
The temple premises resonated with Vedic chants and traditional huluhuli sounds during her visit. The district administration presented her with a Buddhist idol and a Tussar silk saree as souvenirs. Local communities organised cultural and spiritual programs along the route, and large crowds gathered to greet her.
After completing the rituals and interactions, President Murmu departed for Balasore at 11:40 a.m. to attend the convocation ceremony of Fakir Mohan University, where she inaugurated a new auditorium. In her address, she emphasised that growth, security, and technological development across all sections of society are vital for India’s progress, and highlighted the crucial role of universities in achieving this vision.
