President Draupadi Murmu Makes History visiting sabarimala

First Woman Head of State to Offer Prayers at Lord Ayyappa Shrine

Pathanamthitta, Kerala – October 22, 2025 – In a momentous occasion that marks a significant milestone in India’s religious and constitutional history, President Draupadi Murmu offered prayers at the renowned Sabarimala temple in Kerala, becoming the first woman head of state to visit the sacred Lord Ayyappa shrine.

A Historic Pilgrimage

President Draupadi Murmu’s visit on Wednesday morning made her the first female president to worship at the ancient temple, and only the second Indian president overall to visit the shrine, following former President V.V. Giri’s pilgrimage in the 1970s. This unprecedented visit comes as part of her four-day official tour to Kerala, scheduled from October 21-24, 2025.

Traditional Rituals Observed

President Draupadi Murmu dressed in a traditional black saree with a gold border, President Murmu followed all customary pilgrimage protocols, including preparing the sacred offering bundle (irumudikkettu) at the Pamba Ganapathi Temple before proceeding to the main shrine. The President demonstrated deep reverence for temple traditions throughout her visit.

Upon reaching Sannidhanam, she ascended the 18 sacred steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum, where Kerala’s Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan and Travancore Devaswom Board President P.S. Prasanth received her. The temple’s chief priest, Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru, welcomed her with the traditional poorna kumbha ritual.

Special Arrangements and Security

The Travancore Devaswom Board, in coordination with state authorities, implemented extensive security measures for the presidential visit. Four-wheel-drive vehicles transported the President along the trekking route from Pamba to Sannidhanam, adapting the traditional pilgrimage path for the dignitary’s journey.

During the President’s darshan, temporary restrictions were placed on access for other devotees to ensure proper security protocols. Following her prayers at the main temple, President Murmu also visited adjacent shrines including the Malikappuram temple before returning to the TDB guesthouse for rest.

Significance of Sabarimala Temple

The Sabarimala temple holds immense religious importance in Hindu tradition as the abode of Lord Ayyappa. The deity is revered as the divine offspring representing the union of Lord Vishnu’s Mohini avatar and Lord Shiva, embodying both Vaishnavite and Shaivite traditions. Every year, millions of devotees undertake the challenging pilgrimage to this hilltop shrine.

Traditional pilgrimages to Sabarimala require adherents to observe a strict 41-day vratham involving fasting, abstinence, vegetarianism, and continuous prayer as spiritual preparation for the sacred journey.

Presidential Tour of Kerala

President Draupadi Murmu arrived at Thiruvananthapuram Airport on Tuesday evening, where she received a ceremonial welcome from Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and Union Minister George Kurian.

President Draupadi Murmu’s packed itinerary includes several significant events:

October 23: Unveiling a bust of former President K.R. Narayanan at Raj Bhavan, inaugurating the Mahasamadhi Centenary celebrations of Sree Narayana Guru at Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala, and attending the platinum jubilee celebrations of St. Thomas College in Pala, Kottayam district.

October 24: Participating in the centenary celebrations of St. Teresa’s College in Ernakulam before concluding her Kerala visit.

Symbolic Milestone

President Draupadi Murmu’s visit to Sabarimala carries profound symbolic weight as she becomes the first woman president from a tribal background to offer prayers at this revered shrine. The historic nature of her visit underscores the evolving intersection of constitutional authority, cultural tradition, and social progress in contemporary India.

The pilgrimage demonstrates the President’s personal devotion while simultaneously representing a watershed moment in the temple’s long history. Her presence at Sabarimala bridges the ceremonial responsibilities of India’s highest constitutional office with the deeply personal act of spiritual worship.

As President Murmu continues her official engagements across Kerala, her Sabarimala visit will be remembered as a defining moment that harmonizes tradition with transformation, honoring ancient customs while marking new chapters in India’s democratic and cultural journey.