In a landmark event underscoring India’s evolving cultural and institutional landscape, President Droupadi Murmu offered prayers at the revered Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala today, becoming the first woman head of state to do so. This historic visit, part of her four-day official tour to the state, not only highlights her personal devotion but also symbolizes a significant milestone in the temple’s traditions, which have long been associated with male pilgrims.
President Murmu arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday evening, where she was accorded a ceremonial welcome by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister George Kurian, and other senior dignitaries. Departing early Wednesday morning via helicopter from the state capital, she proceeded to Nilakkal and then to Pampa, the base station for the Sabarimala pilgrimage. En route, her aircraft encountered a minor logistical challenge upon landing at the Pramadam helipad, where it briefly became embedded in wet concrete; however, swift intervention by state police and fire department personnel ensured her onward journey without delay.
Adhering to the temple’s sacred rituals, President Murmu participated in the traditional tying of the Irumudi—a pilgrim’s sacred bundle—at the Pampa Ganapathi Temple, assisted by temple priests Vishnu Namboothiri and Sankaran Namboothiri. She then ascended the 18 holy steps to the Sannidhanam shrine in an off-road vehicle, where she was received by Kerala Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan and Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President P. S. Prasanth. Offering fervent prayers to Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity, she also visited the adjacent Malikapuram Temple dedicated to the goddess. The visit lasted approximately two hours, during which access for other devotees was temporarily restricted to facilitate security protocols.
This occasion marks only the second instance of an Indian President visiting Sabarimala, following former President V. V. Giri’s pilgrimage in the 1970s, which involved a traditional dolly ascent. President Murmu’s participation as a woman breaks new ground, reflecting broader societal shifts toward inclusivity at the shrine, which attracts millions of pilgrims annually through a rigorous 41-day vow of abstinence, vegetarianism, and prayer. TDB officials emphasized the visit’s seamless execution under stringent security measures, underscoring the temple’s commitment to accommodating dignitaries while preserving its spiritual essence.
Following her prayers and a brief luncheon at the Sabarimala guesthouse, President Murmu is scheduled to return to Thiruvananthapuram by mid-afternoon. Her itinerary for the remainder of the tour includes the unveiling of a statue honoring former President K. R. Narayanan at Raj Bhavan, visits to the Sivagiri Mutt, and participation in the platinum jubilee celebrations of St. Thomas College in Pala, alongside the centenary events of St. Teresa’s College in Ernakulam. The tour concludes on Friday with her departure from Kochi.
President Murmu’s visit to Sabarimala reinforces the unifying role of faith in India’s diverse democracy, bridging ceremonial duties with personal piety. As the nation’s first woman President from a tribal background, her presence at this iconic site serves as an inspiring affirmation of progress and reverence for tradition.
