Mathura

Droupadi Murmu, currently on a three-day visit to Uttar Pradesh, met spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj at his Radha Keli Kunj ashram in Mathura on Friday, where she attended his discourse.

During her visit to Vrindavan, the President also offered prayers at the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram. She had darshan at the Hanuman temple within the premises and presented a laddu weighing around 50 kg to the deity. As part of the rituals, a group of devotees recited the Sunder Kaand.

She also paid respects at the samadhi of Neem Karoli Baba and spent time in meditation inside the saint’s ‘kutia’, where he had once lived and meditated. The President later visited an exhibition showcasing his life and teachings.

Her itinerary for the day includes visits to the Udiya Baba Ashram and Davanal Kund in Vrindavan. She is also scheduled to inaugurate a new oncology block at the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram Charitable Hospital and visit Vatsalya Gram.

On March 21, Murmu will visit the Danghati Temple in Govardhan for darshan and aarti, followed by the Govardhan Parikrama.

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The President arrived in Mathura on Thursday evening and was received by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, along with state ministers and senior officials. On the first day of her visit, she offered prayers at the ISKCON temple in Vrindavan, attended an aarti, and later visited Prem Mandir, where she watched the temple’s laser show. She also paid obeisance at the Radha Krishna temple and performed the evening aarti.