Bhubaneswar

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit a revered Santali religious site, known as Gosani, in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district on June 20, coinciding with the President's 68th birthday, officials said.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to Pahadpur village, the native village of President Murmu's in-laws, where both leaders will participate in traditional Santali rituals and pay homage at the sacred site.

According to officials, Modi is expected to arrive at a helipad in Pahadpur around noon before proceeding to Gosani. President Murmu will reach nearby Rairangpur a day earlier, on June 19, ahead of the joint programme.

Santali scholar and Padma Shri awardee Damayanti Beshra explained that Gosani occupies a special place in Santali religious life. It is regarded as the abode of village deities, ancestral spirits, and the spiritual guardians associated with community leadership.

She noted that members of the Santali community traditionally seek blessings at Gosani before embarking on important ventures and after returning safely from significant journeys.

In keeping with local customs, visitors entering the sacred premises wear traditional Santali attire. Even security personnel and defence officials visiting the site are expected to drape Santali cloth before offering prayers.

Beshra added that Gosani sites are generally situated either at the centre of a village or near the entrance to Santali settlements, underscoring their importance in the community's spiritual and cultural life.

Following the prayer ceremony, Modi is expected to pay floral tributes at a memorial dedicated to President Murmu's late husband and her two sons. He is also likely to interact with local residents during the visit.

Meanwhile, authorities have imposed restrictions on media access to Pahadpur during the high-profile visit. In an advisory issued to journalists, the District Information and Public Relations Officer (DI&PRO) requested media personnel not to enter or proceed towards the village during the programme.

The restrictions were imposed on the recommendation of the District Intelligence Bureau as part of the security protocol for the visit.

Officials said extensive security arrangements have been made, including the declaration of key areas as no-drone and no-fly zones. Approximately 5,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed to oversee the visit of the President and the Prime Minister.

Besides the religious programme, Murmu and Modi are also scheduled to attend an event in Rairangpur marking the second anniversary of the BJP government in Odisha.

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Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the preparations on Tuesday and directed officials to ensure robust security measures and smooth execution of all scheduled events.