President Droupadi Murmu visited the famous Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Kerala on Wednesday, becoming the first head of state to reach the sacred Sannidhanam by vehicle. The temple, one of India’s most revered pilgrimage centers, drew national attention as the President personally took part in the traditional rituals usually followed by devotees.
Murmu began her journey early in the morning, arriving in Pathanamthitta by helicopter before traveling by road to Pampa, the base camp of the Sabarimala hill shrine. There, she performed the customary ritual of tying the Irumudikettu, a sacred offering carried by Ayyappa devotees, at the Pampa Ganapathi temple. From there, she proceeded up the hill in a four-wheel-drive vehicle via the Swami Ayyappan Road, accompanied by her security team and family members.
Upon reaching the temple, President Murmu climbed the holy Pathinettampadi, the 18 sacred steps leading to Lord Ayyappa’s sanctum, carrying her Irumudikettu, a gesture rarely undertaken by someone in her position. At the Sannidhanam, she was received with the traditional Poornakumbham by chief priest Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanan. Kerala’s Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan was also present to welcome her.
After taking part in the Uchapuja (special afternoon prayer), the President rested at the Devaswom Guest House. Her visit holds symbolic importance as it revives memories of former President V. V. Giri’s visit in 1973, when a special dolly service was introduced to carry him to the shrine.
Following her temple visit, President Murmu is scheduled to return to Thiruvananthapuram later tonight. She will attend a dinner hosted in her honor by Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar at Hotel Hyatt Regency.
The President’s spiritual journey to Sabarimala has been widely viewed as a moment of reverence and inclusivity, highlighting her connection to India’s deep-rooted cultural and religious heritage.
