Archive · 6 Aug 2026
President Murmu offers prayers at Shiva temple, concludes Odisha visit
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, went on a visit to the state of Odisha.
On the final day, Wednesday, she visited an old Shiva temple called Dhabaleswar in Golabandha.
She poured water over the holy Shiva symbol, a ceremony called 'Jalabhisek', and prayed for peace and happiness for the country.
Her visit to the temple was a surprise — it was arranged overnight, so priests and local people were surprised to see her.
She was only supposed to stay for ten minutes, but she stayed for nearly thirty minutes and meditated for five minutes.
The night before, she had slept at the Army Air Defence College in Golabandha.
She travelled back to Bhubaneswar in a special train because the weather office predicted very heavy monsoon rain.
During her three-day trip, she also opened the new Jagadguru Kripalu University in Cuttack and prayed at other holy places.
After reaching Bhubaneswar, she flew back to New Delhi in a special Indian Air Force plane.
Important leaders, including the Governor and Chief Minister of Odisha, came to the airport to say goodbye.
President Droupadi Murmu offered 'Jalabhisek' and special prayers at the Dhabaleswar Shiva Temple in Golabandha, Ganjam district, on Wednesday.
The unscheduled visit lasted nearly 30 minutes, including five minutes of meditation, despite being scheduled for only 10 minutes.
She used the Presidential Special Train for the journey because the India Meteorological Department forecast heavy monsoon rains in Odisha.
During her three-day visit, she inaugurated Jagadguru Kripalu University in Cuttack and offered prayers at Maa Kandhuni Devi Temple and a Shiva temple at Taptapani.
She departed for New Delhi from Biju Patnaik International Airport on a special IAF aircraft, with Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other officials present.
- Who
- President Droupadi Murmu of India
- What
- Concluded her three-day Odisha visit by offering 'Jalabhisek' and prayers at the Dhabaleswar Shiva Temple, then returned to Bhubaneswar by the Presidential Special Train and departed for New Delhi
- When
- Wednesday, August 5, after an overnight stay at the Army Air Defence College, Golabandha
- Where
- Dhabaleswar Shiva Temple, Golabandha, Ganjam district, Odisha; later Bhubaneswar and Biju Patnaik International Airport
- Why
- The special train was arranged because the India Meteorological Department forecast heavy monsoon rains; the visit combined official engagements, including inaugurating Jagadguru Kripalu University, with religious and cultural engagements
- President
- Droupadi Murmu
- Temple visited
- Dhabaleswar Shiva Temple, Golabandha, Ganjam district
- Time at temple
- Nearly 30 minutes, including 5 minutes of meditation (scheduled for 10 minutes)
- Visit duration
- Three days
- Reason for special train
- India Meteorological Department forecast of heavy monsoon rains in Odisha
- Key engagements
- Inaugurated Jagadguru Kripalu University, Cuttack; prayed at Maa Kandhuni Devi Temple and Shiva temple at Taptapani
- Overnight stay
- Army Air Defence College, Golabandha
- Departure
- Biju Patnaik International Airport on a special IAF aircraft; Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, CM Mohan Charan Majhi and senior officials present
