President Murmu arrives in Kerala on 4-day visit; to perform darshan at Sabarimala temple on October 22

President Draupadi Murmu arrived in Kerala Tuesday on a four-day visit, during which she will also pay obeisance at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.

The President, who arrived at the airport here on a special flight from Delhi, was received by Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others. Heavy security arrangements have been made across the state capital in connection with the president’s visit.

Advertisement

President Murmu will perform darshan at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple on Wednesday. She will fly to Nilakkal from here by helicopter the same day and is expected to reach there by 10.20 am. From there, she will proceed to Pampa by road and then travel to Sabarimala Sannidhanam. After stopping at the Pampa Ganapathi temple, she will travel by a four-wheel drive via Swami Ayyappan Road, making her the first head of state to reach Sannidhanam by a vehicle.

According to sources, the decision to travel by a special Force Gurkha vehicle was taken in view of her health and security constraints in the hilly terrain. In 1973, then President V V Giri reached Sannidhanam using the dolly service. In fact, dolly service was introduced in Sabarimala for his visit.

Governor Arlekar and his wife will accompany the President to Sabarimala. The President, who will reach Sannidhanam at 12 noon, will stay at the Devaswom Guest House after visiting the Sabarimala shrine.