President Droupadi Murmu Performs Pind Daan at Biraja Temple in Jajpur

Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday performed the traditional pind daan ritual at the historic Biraja Temple in Odisha’s Jajpur district, a sacred site regarded as one of the three revered Gaya Kshetras associated with ancestral rites.

The President carried out the ritual at Navi Gaya, a holy water tank located within the temple complex, offering prayers for the salvation of her ancestors’ souls. Extensive security arrangements were made for the high-profile visit, with nearly 600 security personnel deployed in and around the temple premises.

According to Hindu mythology, Jajpur holds immense religious significance as the place where the navel portion of the demon Gayasura is believed to have fallen after he was slain by Lord Vishnu. The other two parts are said to have fallen in Gaya in Bihar and Pithapuram in Andhra Pradesh, making Jajpur a prominent centre for performing pind daan rituals.

Before conducting the ancestral rites, President Murmu offered prayers at the 13th-century Biraja Temple, where Goddess Biraja is worshipped as Dwibhuja Durga, depicted spearing Mahisasura with one hand and pulling his tail with the other.

In view of the President’s visit, authorities ordered the closure of schools in Jajpur town and nearby areas for the day, officials said.

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