President Droupadi Murmu Makes History with Sabarimala Temple Pilgrimage

Historic Pilgrimage to Sabarimala

President Droupadi Murmu embarked on a historic pilgrimage to the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, Kerala, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Her visit marked a significant moment as she became the first woman President of India to offer prayers at the renowned hill shrine. She is also only the second Indian President to visit the temple, with former President V.V. Giri having visited in the 1970s.

Adherence to Sacred Rituals

The President's visit was characterized by a strict adherence to the temple's age-old customs and rituals. Upon her arrival at Pamba, the base camp, around 11 am, President Murmu washed her feet in the Pampa river and offered prayers at the nearby Lord Ganapathy shrine. Dressed in a black saree, she participated in the 'Kettunira' ceremony, where the melshanthi (head priest) prepared her 'irumudikkettu' – the sacred bundle of offerings carried by devotees to the shrine. Her son-in-law, Ganesh Chandra Hombram, and other staff members also prepared their own sacred bundles. Carrying the 'irumudikkettu' on her head, she then ascended the 18 holy steps to the main sanctum sanctorum for 'darshan' of Lord Ayyappa. Following her prayers, she also visited the adjacent Malikappuram temple. During her visit, entry for other devotees was restricted to ensure security and smooth conduct of the presidential pilgrimage.

Sabarimala and the Debate on Women's Entry

President Murmu's visit carries particular significance in the context of the Sabarimala temple's history concerning women's entry. Traditionally, the temple had restricted the entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50, based on the belief that Lord Ayyappa is an eternal celibate (Naishtika Brahmachari). This practice was upheld by the Kerala High Court in 1991. However, a landmark Supreme Court of India ruling in September 2018 overturned this ban, stating that it was unconstitutional and discriminatory. The ruling sparked widespread debates and protests across the country. President Murmu, being 67 years old, falls outside the traditionally restricted age group, and her pilgrimage was conducted strictly within the established temple customs, as noted by political figures like BJP leader Bandi Sanjay Kumar, who stated, 'She broke no rules, hurt no faith, she only honoured it.'

Part of a Four-Day Kerala Tour

The pilgrimage to Sabarimala was a key event during President Murmu's four-day official tour of Kerala. She arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday evening, October 21, 2025, and was accorded a warm welcome by dignitaries including Kerala Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlerkar and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Her itinerary also included other engagements, such as unveiling a bust of former President K.R. Narayanan at Raj Bhavan, inaugurating the observance of the Mahasamadhi centenary of Sree Narayana Guru at Sivagiri Mutt, and attending the valedictory function of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of St. Thomas College in Palai, Kottayam, and the centenary celebrations of St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam.