President Murmu offers prayers at Omkareshwar temple in MP

Omkareshwar (MP), Jun 18 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday offered prayers at the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district.

Murmu spent about 10 minutes at the temple situated on the banks of the Narmada river, officials said.

Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel accompanied her during the visit.

Later, Murmu also offered prayers at the Mamleshwar temple, another prominent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the pilgrimage town.

Before entering the sanctum sanctorum of the Mamleshwar temple, the President offered ‘bel’ leaves at the statue of Nandi, the officials said.

The temple priests conducted the ritual worship and ‘abhishek’ (sacred bathing) of Lord Shiva as per the Vedic traditions amid chanting of hymns.

According to Hindu religious beliefs, a pilgrimage to Omkareshwar is considered complete only after paying obeisance at the Mamleshwar temple.

While the Omkareshwar temple is situated on one bank of the Narmada river, the Mamleshwar temple stands on the other side of the riverbank.

After the temple visit, Khandwa Collector Rishav Gupta presented a memento to the President.

Local Lok Sabha member Gyaneshwar Patil gifted a Shivling, a conch shell and a photograph of the Omkareshwar pilgrimage site as mementoes to Murmu.

Elaborate security arrangements were in place in the area in view of the President’s visit.

President Murmu arrived in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday for a five-day visit. During her stay, she is scheduled to participate in various programmes and visit Kuno National Park, home to several cheetahs. PTI HWP LAL NP