Thiruvananthapuram: President Droupadi Murmu will arrive in Kerala on Tuesday evening for a four-day official visit that includes spiritual, cultural, and educational engagements. She is scheduled to land at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport at 6:20 pm and will stay at the Raj Bhavan during her visit.

Sabarimala visit on Wednesday

On Wednesday morning, the President will depart by helicopter from Thiruvananthapuram at 9:35 am and reach Nilakkal helipad by 10:20 am. From there, she will travel by road to Pampa and proceed to Sabarimala Sannidhanam for darshan. She is expected to arrive at the temple around 11 am and remain there between 12:20 pm and 1:30 pm.

After her temple visit, President Murmu will return to Thiruvananthapuram the same night and attend a dinner hosted by Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar at Hotel Hyatt Regency.

Events in Thiruvananthapuram and Sivagiri

On October 23, the President will unveil the bust of former President K.R. Narayanan at Raj Bhavan at 10:30 am. Later, at 12:50 pm, she will inaugurate the centenary celebrations of Sree Narayana Guru’s Mahasamadhi at Sivagiri.

In the afternoon, she will attend the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of St. Thomas College, Pala, before spending the night in Kumarakom.

Engagements in Ernakulam

On October 24, President Murmu will participate in an event at St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam. She will return to New Delhi later that day, concluding her Kerala visit.

Restrictions at Sabarimala

Due to the President’s visit, the Travancore Devaswom Board has announced strict restrictions at Sabarimala Sannidhanam on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Devotees will not be allowed to stay overnight at the shrine on these days. Darshan for the general public will only resume on Wednesday evening, after the President leaves Nilakkal. The temple doors will close at 10 pm on Wednesday, marking the conclusion of the Thulam month poojas.

During the President’s visit, only ten people will be allowed near the Pathinettampadi (18 sacred steps). The limited group will include the tantri (chief priest), melshanti, two temple assistants, Devaswom Board officials, and three staff members.

Conclusion

President Murmu’s Kerala tour combines spiritual visits, cultural engagements, and academic events. Her visit to Sabarimala marks the first by a sitting President in several years and underscores the temple’s national significance. The state has stepped up security and logistical arrangements to ensure smooth conduct throughout her four-day stay.