The President Pranab Mukherjee was given a traditional welcome at the Punnainallur Mariamman temple here on Saturday.
Accompanied by Governor K.Rosaiah, State Minister for Higher Education N.S. Palaniappan and senior government officials, Mr.Mukherjee was received by temple priests with ‘poorna kumbham’ at the entrance to the shrine.
Also present were Collector N. Subbaiyan, senior Prince and hereditary trustee of the temple Babaji Rajah Bhonsle, former secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, R. Gopalan, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Commissioner K. Dhanapal, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Thanjavur Range, Sanjay Kumar, and Superintendent of Police G. Dharmarajan.
The President offered two silk saris – one to the main deity Mariamman and the other to Durga. A special ‘abhishekam’ was performed to Durga and the main deity was in ‘thanga alankaram.’ The saris were adorned on the deities.
After remaining in the temple for about 30 minutes and watching the special poojas, the President left for Tiruchi.
Earlier, upon arrival from Tiruchi by a helicopter at the Air Force station here, Minister for Housing and Urban Development R.Vaithialingam, former Union Minister S.S. Palanimanickam and other senior officials welcomed the President.
The temple and its vicinity were brought under tight security.
Anti-sabotage teams were also deployed at the temple, which was kept out of bounds to the public for nearly four-and-half hours.
