India, Oct. 23 -- Sabarimala (Kerala), Oct. 23 (UNI)- President Droupadi Murmu offered prayers at Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala yesterday, becoming the first sitting President to visit the shrine in over five decades, the last being President V.V. Giri in 1973.

Adhering to the Temple's customs and traditions, President Murmu began her sacred pilgrimage from Pamba, where she performed the customary ritual bath in a specially arranged enclosure near the holy river. She then symbolically filled her Irumudi Kettu (sacred bundle carried by devotees) before proceeding to the Temple.

Dressed in black saree, the President offered prayers at the Pamba Ganapathy Temple before beginning her ascent to Sabarimala. She was accompanied by her Offi...