President Droupadi Murmu offeres prayers at Sabarimala

President Droupadi Murmu offered prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, Kerala, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, as part of her four-day official visit to the state.

She is the first woman President of India to visit the Sabarimala Hill Shrine to offer prayers. President Murmu followed the temple’s customs. She performed the ritual cleansing by washing her feet at Pamba and had the sacred offering bundle, the Irumudikkettu, prepared at the Pampa Ganapathy Temple.

She carried the sacred bundle on her head while climbing the 18 holy steps. While pilgrims traditionally trek, the President and her team traveled to the Sannidhanam (sanctum area) in a special convoy of four-wheel-drive vehicles due to security protocol.

She was welcomed with a traditional Poorna Kumbham by the Temple Tantri (Chief Priest) and performed the Darshan of Lord Ayyappa with the Irumudikkettu on her head. Devotee darshan was restricted during the President’s visit, and tight security arrangements were in place across the hill shrine.

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