President Murmu offers prayers at Shiva temple

Brahmapur: President Droupadi Murmu wrapped up her Brahmapur tour on Wednesday by offering ‘Jalabhisek’ and special prayers at the historic Dhabaleswar Shiva Temple in Golabandha, seeking blessings for national peace and prosperity. The unscheduled visit, during which she spent nearly 30 minutes at the temple and meditated for five minutes, became the defining moment of her tour before she departed for Bhubaneswar by aspecial train.

After an overnight stay at the Army Air Defence College, Golabandha, the President made an unscheduled early morning visit to the temple, walking there in a simple salwar-kameez. Her arrival surprised priests, temple committee members and local residents, as arrangements for the visit were made overnight after the district administration informed the temple authorities late on Tuesday.

Although scheduled to remain at the shrine for only 10 minutes, Murmu spent nearly 30 minutes in the temple, including five minutes in meditation. Amid Vedic chants and special prayers by the priests, she performed ‘Jalabhisek’ and sought Lord Shiva’s blessings for the country’s peace, prosperity and the well-being of its people.

The President left the temple site by car to Army Air Defence College amidst slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ by locals. After returning to the Army Air Defence College, Murmu had breakfast before leaving for Brahmapur railway station under elaborate security arrangements. She reached the station at 10.10 am, and her special train departed for Bhubaneswar at 10.20 am amid warm farewell by hundreds of people and senior civil and police officials.

Earlier during her visit, Murmu had offered prayers at Maa Kandhuni Devi Temple and Shiva Temple at Taptapani. Her visit to Dhabaleswar marked the final spiritual engagement of her Brahmapur tour, blending official engagements with Odisha’s rich religious and cultural heritage.

During her three-day visit to the State, Murmu had also inaugurated Jagadguru Kripalu University in Kataka. After returning to Bhubaneswar, Murmu left for New Delhi. She departed from the Biju Patnaik International Airport on a special IAF aircraft. Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, DGP Y B Khurania and other senior officials were present at the airport to see her off.