By Our Correspondent
PURI/BHUBANESWAR: The President Ramnath Kovid , who was on Saturday received by the Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on arrival here at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Capital City, offered prayers at Shree Lord Jagannatha Temple in the evening and spent an hour inside the Temple in Puri.
The President accompanied by the First Lady Sabita Kovind and family members, watched the special “Chunara” servitor climbing on the 213 feet high Shree Mandir and tied the flag wishing well being of the nation on the Neela Chakra, the wheel atop the temple, said Narayan Gochhikar, the traditional priest of Mr.Kovind. Tying ‘Bana’ is a special ritual held everyday afternoon in the temple when the devotees.
On their arrival at the temple’s Lion gate, the President was greeted by Dr.Krishan Kumar, the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and others. The Gajapati Maharaja of Puri Divya Singh Deb, however, could not remain present to greet the President as he had tested positive for the COVID-19.
The President was presented a special ‘patachitra’ painting by the SJTA Chief Dr.Kumar during his departure from the temple. He will spend the night at the Raj Bhavan in Puri and attend a function marking 150th birth anniversary of Goudiya Mission founder Srimad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada on Sunday.
On Sunday, the President will inaugurate the three-year long celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Srimad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad, the founder of Gaudiya Math and Mission in Puri.
