President Droupadi Murmu marked a significant milestone by visiting the revered Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple, becoming the first female head of state to do so. She is only the second Indian President to undertake this visit, following former President VV Giri’s trip in the 1970s.
This visit holds symbolic importance, especially after the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that abolished the traditional ban on women aged 10-50 from entering the temple, dedicated to the celibate deity Lord Ayyappan.
BJP MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar praised President Murmu’s visit, emphasizing her respect for tradition and faith. He highlighted her historic act of carrying the Irumudi and bowing before Lord Ayyappa.
In adherence to pilgrimage customs, President Murmu arrived at the Pamba base camp, where she cleansed her feet in the Pampa river before offering prayers at the nearby Lord Ganapathy shrine. She donned a black saree and partook in the ‘Kettunira’ ceremony, where the head priest prepared her sacred bundle alongside her son-in-law and staff.
Subsequently, the entourage traveled to the Sannidhanam via special four-wheel-drive vehicles, covering the 4.5-km Swami Ayyappan Road. At the Sannidhanam, she was formally welcomed by the temple’s chief priest and State Devaswom Minister.
Ascending the 18 holy steps with the sacred bundle atop her head, President Murmu had a ‘darshan’ of Lord Ayyappa before her bundle was taken for pooja. Following prayers and a visit to the Malikappuram temple, she returned to the TDB guesthouse for lunch, with restricted entry for other devotees during her stay.
President Murmu’s Sabarimala visit is a highlight of her official tour of Kerala, which commenced on Tuesday evening.