Bhubaneswar, Feb 3: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday performed the traditional ‘pind daan’ ritual at the revered Biraja Temple in Odisha’s Jajpur district, reaffirming the site’s deep spiritual and cultural significance. Jajpur is believed to be one of the three sacred ‘Gaya Kshetras’ in Hindu tradition where ancestral rites are considered especially auspicious.

The President carried out the ritual at ‘Navi Gaya’, a holy pool located within the Biraja Temple complex, and offered prayers for the peace and salvation of her ancestors’ souls. In view of the high-profile visit, elaborate security arrangements were put in place, with around 600 security personnel deployed in and around the temple premises to ensure smooth conduct of the programme.

According to Hindu mythology, Jajpur holds a unique place as the location where the naval portion of demon Gayasura fell after he was slain by Lord Vishnu. The other two parts are believed to have fallen at Gaya in Bihar and Pithapuram in Andhra Pradesh, enhancing Jajpur’s importance for performing ‘pind daan’ rituals.

Before the ancestral rites, President Murmu offered prayers at the 13th-century Biraja Temple, where Goddess Biraja is worshipped as ‘Dwibhuja’ Durga, symbolically depicted slaying Mahisasura. Due to the President’s visit, schools in Jajpur town and nearby areas remained closed for the day.

Later in the day, the President is scheduled to attend the convocation ceremony of Fakir Mohan University in Balasore.

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