GOVARDHAN, March 21: A unique confluence of devotion, faith, and simplicity was witnessed today in the city of Lord Krishna when President Droupadi Murmu paid her respects at the world-renowned Shri Danghati Temple and completed the ‘Saptakosi’ (seven-cros) 21-kilometre Parikrama.
She was accompanied by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, during this visit. A highlight of the occasion was that the President not only performed the rituals and prayers in accordance with tradition but also interacted with local children and distributed chocolates to them.
As soon as President Murmu’s convoy reached Govardhan, the atmosphere turned festive. At the Danghati Temple, Cabinet Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and Minister-in-charge Sandeep Singh received her. The temple’s sevayat (priest), Sitaram Sharma, presented a chunari (sacred scarf) to the President, following which she performed the Abhishekam (ritual bathing) of Thakur Shri Giriraj Maharaj with milk inside the sanctum sanctorum. The President circumambulated the temple and offered prayers for the peace and prosperity of the nation.
The Parikrama, which commenced at the Danghati Temple, was filled with various expressions of devotion. The President and the Governor covered parts of the 21-kilometre-long circumambulation route on foot and other parts using a golf cart.
A section of the Parikrama route falls within the state of Rajasthan, where representatives of the Rajasthan government accorded a grand welcome to Her Excellency. While walking through Anyor village, the President called over the young children present there and distributed chocolates to them. The children were overjoyed to receive these gifts directly from the hands of the President.
Throughout the entire Parikrama, school students at various points along the route waved the Tricolour to welcome Her Excellency. At the Raman Reti Ashram, in the presence of Mahant Hariom Baba, young Batuks (students of Vedic studies) chanted Vedic mantras and blew conch shells (Shankhnad). Along the route, various troupes presented cultural performances accompanied by drums and traditional percussion instruments; deeply impressed by the spectacle, the President even posed for photographs with the artistes.
Coincidentally, today also marked ‘World Forestry Day.’ To commemorate this occasion, President Murmu planted a banyan sapling at the Gorva Forest Block, situated along the Parikrama (circumambulation) route. Officers of the Indian Forest Service expressed their gratitude to the President for this initiative and presented her with a memento.
Following the Badi Parikrama (Grand Circumambulation), the President visited Mansi Ganga, located along the Chhoti Parikrama (Short Circumambulation) route. There, she performed worship rituals in accordance with traditional rites, offered Aarti, and presented flowers. Subsequently, at the Mukut Mukharbind Temple, Shriji Peethacharya Manish Baba guided her through the Abhishek (ritual bathing ceremony) of Giriraj Baba.
Upon completion of the Parikrama, she was presented with a captivating idol of Radha and Krishna at the Danghati Temple. In the evening, following the conclusion of the day’s events, the President arrived at the helipad, where she was accorded a ceremonial send-off by Members of Parliament Hema Malini and Tejvir Singh, along with senior administrative officials.
(UNI)
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