Gaya: In a significant spiritual gesture, President Droupadi Murmu visited Gaya today to perform the sacred Pind Daan ritual at the revered Vishnupad Temple, seeking peace and salvation for her ancestors’ souls. Accompanied by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, the President was accorded full state honors upon her arrival at Gaya International Airport.
Following a secure and well-coordinated route, President Murmu proceeded to the Vishnupad Temple, a site of immense religious significance during the ongoing Pitru Paksha Mela. The temple, believed to house Lord Vishnu’s footprint, attracts thousands of devotees annually for Pind Daan ceremonies.
President Droupadi Murmu offers prayers at the Vishnupad Temple in #Gaya ji in #Bihar.
At the temple premises, the President performs pind daan at various altars for the peace of the souls of her ancestors and forefathers. pic.twitter.com/Ky3vBt2nGL
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) September 20, 2025
At the temple, President Murmu performed the Pind Daan ritual under the guidance of Gayapal Pandit Rajesh Lal Katriyar, a prominent priest in Gaya. The ceremony was conducted with traditional Vedic chants, and the President also participated in prayers within the temple’s sanctum. This marked her first personal offering of Pind Daan in Gaya, though her ancestors had previously undertaken the ritual at the same temple—a fact confirmed through historical documents presented to her.
In preparation for the visit, local authorities implemented stringent security measures, including traffic diversions and surveillance via CCTV and drones, to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the event. These measures were part of the broader efforts to manage the large influx of devotees during the ongoing Pitru Paksha fair.
President Murmu’s participation in the Pind Daan ceremony underscores the enduring importance of ancestral rites in Hindu culture and the role of prominent figures in preserving and promoting these traditions.
Later, concluding her brief but significant visit to Gaya, President Murmu returned to Delhi this afternoon.
