Droupadi Murmu Becomes First Woman President to Offer Prayers at Sabarimala Temple

In a historic moment reflecting India's changing cultural and institutional dynamics, President Droupadi Murmu visited the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala today, becoming the first female head of state to do so. Her visit, part of a four-day official trip to the state, underscores her personal faith and marks a significant milestone in the temple's history, traditionally associated with male worshippers.
President Murmu arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday evening, where she received a ceremonial welcome from Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister George Kurian, and other senior officials. Early Wednesday morning, she traveled by helicopter from the state capital to Nilakkal and then to Pampa, the base camp for the Sabarimala pilgrimage. During her journey, her aircraft faced a minor issue when it briefly got stuck in wet concrete at the Pramadam helipad, but quick action by state police and fire department personnel ensured she continued her journey without further delay.

Following the temple's sacred customs, President Murmu participated in the traditional tying of the Irumudi, a pilgrim's sacred bundle, at the Pampa Ganapathi Temple, with the assistance of temple priests Vishnu Namboothiri and Sankaran Namboothiri. She then journeyed up the 18 holy steps to the Sannidhanam shrine in an off-road vehicle, where she was received by Kerala Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan and Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President P. S. Prasanth. After offering prayers to Lord Ayyappa, the temple's presiding deity, she also visited the nearby Malikapuram Temple. Her visit lasted around two hours, during which public access was temporarily restricted for security purposes.
This visit marks only the second time an Indian President has visited Sabarimala, following former President V. V. Giri's pilgrimage in the 1970s, which was conducted using a traditional dolly ascent. President Murmu's visit as a woman signifies a new precedent, demonstrating broader societal shifts toward inclusivity at the shrine, which annually draws millions of pilgrims who observe a strict 41-day period of abstinence, vegetarianism, and prayer. TDB officials noted that the visit was successfully managed under tight security, reinforcing the temple's dedication to welcoming dignitaries while maintaining its spiritual focus.

After her prayers and a short lunch at the Sabarimala guesthouse, President Murmu is set to return to Thiruvananthapuram by mid-afternoon. Her schedule for the rest of the tour includes unveiling a statue of former President K. R. Narayanan at Raj Bhavan, visiting the Sivagiri Mutt, and participating in the platinum jubilee of St. Thomas College in Pala, as well as the centenary celebrations of St. Teresa's College in Ernakulam. The tour is scheduled to conclude on Friday with her departure from Kochi.
President Murmu's visit to Sabarimala highlights the unifying power of faith in India's diverse democracy, blending ceremonial responsibilities with personal devotion. As the country's first female President from a tribal community, her presence at this significant site stands as a powerful testament to progress and respect for tradition.