President Droupadi Murmu is set to visit the revered Sabarimala temple in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district on May 19, making her the first sitting President of India to offer prayers at the iconic hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa.
Travancore Devaswom Board Confirms Milestone Visit
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which oversees the temple’s operations, officially confirmed Murmu’s visit and described it as a “milestone moment for both the nation and the temple.” The President’s tour to Kerala is part of a two-day official visit, beginning May 18.
Two-Day Kerala Tour Includes Temple Visit and Private Event
Murmu will arrive in Kottayam on May 18 to attend a private event. The next day, she will head to the Nilakkal helipad before proceeding to the Pampa base camp, which serves as the starting point for the temple journey.
Her ascent to the hilltop temple, located at an elevation of 3,000 feet, may involve the traditional 4.25-kilometre trek or a drive along a steep emergency road. The final decision will be made by the Special Protection Group (SPG) responsible for her security.
Security to Determine Mode of Ascent
“This marks the first time a sitting President has chosen to visit the Sabarimala shrine. The SPG will decide whether she walks or is driven. We will comply with their instructions,” said PS Prasanth, President of the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Prasanth also shared that while the official itinerary has yet to be finalized, preparations have been ongoing for weeks. “The possibility of her visit has been circulating for the past two to three weeks. Now that it’s confirmed, we’ve expedited road repairs and related construction work. Once formal communication is received, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will convene a review meeting. This is undoubtedly a historic occasion,” he added.
Temple Access Restricted for Devotees During Visit
Murmu’s visit will coincide with the end of monthly poojas for the Malayalam month of Edavam, during which the temple attracts a large number of pilgrims. To ensure security, authorities have restricted public access to the shrine on May 18 and 19. The virtual queue system has also been suspended.
Traditional Pilgrimage Practices May Be Followed
The Sabarimala pilgrimage traditionally involves 41 days of penance, followed by a barefoot trek from the banks of the Pampa River, with devotees carrying an “Irumudi”—a sacred offering bundle required for climbing the 18 holy steps to the sanctum.
Prasanth indicated that President Murmu may prepare her Irumudi at the Pampa base camp, but further details are awaited from the President’s office. “She will be the first President to ever offer prayers here. It is truly a proud moment,” he remarked.
A Rare Presidential Pilgrimage to Sabarimala
The last high-profile political visit to Sabarimala was by VV Giri, who made the pilgrimage during his term as Kerala’s Governor in the early 1960s, before becoming President in 1969. Droupadi Murmu’s upcoming visit stands out as a symbolically significant moment in the temple’s long-standing tradition.
