President offers prayer at Giriraj Temple; completes 21-km Parikrama and distributes chocolates to children

A unique confluence of devotion, faith, and simplicity was witnessed on Saturday in the city of Lord Krishna when President Droupadi Murmu paid her respects at the world-renowned Shri Danghati Temple and completed the 21-kilometre (seven-kos) ‘Saptakosi’ Parikrama.

She was accompanied by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, during the visit. A notable 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 among them.

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As the President’s convoy arrived in Govardhan, the atmosphere turned festive. At the revered Danghati Temple, she was received by Cabinet Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and Minister-in-charge Sandeep Singh. The temple’s sevayat (priest), Sitaram Sharma, presented her with a chunari (sacred scarf).

Following this, the President performed the Abhishekam (ritual bathing) of Thakur Shri Giriraj Maharaj with milk inside the sanctum sanctorum. She then circumambulated the temple and offered prayers for the peace and prosperity of the nation.

The Parikrama, which commenced from the Danghati Temple, witnessed diverse expressions of devotion. The President and the Governor covered portions of the 21-kilometre circumambulation route on foot, while traversing other stretches in 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 the President. 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 Parikrama, school students at various points along the route waved the Tricolour to welcome the President. At 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. Impressed by the spectacle, the President even posed for photographs with the artists.

Coincidentally, today also marked ‘World Forestry Day.’ To commemorate the occasion, President Murmu planted a banyan sapling at the Gorva Forest Block, located along the Parikrama route. Officers of the Indian Forest Service expressed their gratitude to the President for the 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 puja 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.