President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday offered prayers at the famous hill temple of Lord Venkateswara. He was accompanied by his son and Member of Parliament Abhijit Mukherjee, Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
On his arrival, he was received with the traditional 'Istikapal' honours by the temple priests. He stood for about ten minutes in the sanctum sanctorum and offered prayers. Chief priest of the temple explained him about the history and significance of the hill shrine and honoured him with silk vastram of the deity.
Later, priests blessed him at the Ranganayakula mandapam TTD Chariman C. Krishna Murthy and Executive officer D. Sambasiva rao presented him with a memento and laddu prasadam.
The President, who alighted at the Ratha mandapam, hopped into a battery car along with the Governor and Chief Minister and drove towards the Varaha swamy temple situated on the banks of the temple tank.
Earlier in the day, the President offered prayers at the famous temple of Goddess Sri Padmavathi at Tiruchanur too. After according customary honours, the first citizen was led into the shrine by temple priests and officials.
After praying at the Dhwaja Sthambam, Mr. Mukherjee proceeded to the sanctum sanctorum, where he attended special rituals. Later, he visited Kapila Theertham and offered prayers at Sri Kapileswara temple, before motoring up the Tirumala hills.
Earlier, the presidential entourage was accorded a traditional reception when the special aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) touched down at the Renigunta airport.
