Mayurbhanj: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered prayers at tribal sacred sites in Pahadpur village of Mayurbhanj district, marking a significant cultural and ceremonial visit in the President’s native region.
The two leaders visited Gosani Peeth as well as the Santhali and Ho Jaheras, which are revered sacred groves of the tribal communities. The visit was conducted amid tight security arrangements and away from media glare.
President Murmu, who was already present in the village, received Prime Minister Modi upon his arrival. The Prime Minister was accorded a traditional welcome by local residents, featuring drumbeats, floral greetings and cultural tribal performances.
The President and the Prime Minister first visited Gosani Peeth and later walked to the Jaheras, where they participated in rituals and planted saplings as part of customary practice.
According to Ol Chiki scholar Damayanti Beshra, Jaheras are sacred groves where tribal deities are worshipped, while Gosani Peeth is associated with ancestral prayers.
“It was an unforgettable day for the tribals of Odisha. Both the President and the Prime Minister offered prayers at tribal sacred groves,” Beshra said.
As part of traditional customs, Murmu, Modi and members of their security detail were offered Santhali attire before entering the sacred groves located amid wooded surroundings.
The leaders also visited a school established by President Murmu in memory of her late husband, Shyam Charan Murmu, and her two sons, Laxman and Sipun, who passed away before she assumed office as India’s first tribal President in 2022.
Modi paid floral tributes at a statue of Shyam Charan Murmu and interacted with students at the school as well as at a Skill Centre in Pahadpur. An exhibition showcasing tribal products was also visited by the dignitaries.
The village was decorated with flowers, tribal motifs and traditional artwork on mud walls, with residents lining the streets to welcome the two leaders.
Later, President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi left for Rairangpur, where they are scheduled to attend a programme marking the second anniversary of the BJP government in Odisha.
