Mathura (UP), March 19 President Droupadi Murmu, who is on a three-day visit to Uttar Pradesh, visited temples and attended several programmes in Mathura on Thursday, officials said.
The President arrived in Mathura in the evening at the Cant helipad, where Governor Anandiben Patel, Uttar Pradesh ministers, and senior officials welcomed her.
She had a 'darshan' at the ISKCON temple in Vrindavan and also participated in an 'aarti'.
The President was welcomed amidst the chanting of 'Naam Sankirtan'. She paid floral tributes at Swami Prabhupad's Samadhi and performed 'aarti', Pavan Dubey, the media in-charge of the ISKCON temple, said.
She then offered prayers at Gaur Nitai, Krishna Balram and Shyam Sunder temple at ISKCON and performed 'aarti' there and attended a cultural programme performed by female devotees, including foreigners.
She gave toffees and chocolates to the children at the Gurukul and spoke to them, Dubey added, noting that 'Gau Pujan' was cancelled due to heavy rain.
She also visited the Prem Mandir and saw one of the major attractions of the temple, the laser show, Ajai Baba, the media in-charge of Prem Mandir, Vrindavan, said.
Later, she went to seek blessings at the Radha Krishna temple. She worshipped the deity according to rituals and performed an evening 'aarti'.
She was presented with a shawl, prasad, a Tulsi garland, a book on the life of Jagatguru Kripalu ji Maharaj, and Prem Ras Siddhant, along with carved cutouts of Radha Krishna, Ajai Baba said.
Earlier in the day, the President visited the Ram temple in Ayodhya, where she participated in special religious ceremonies and installed a 150-kg gold-plated metal plate known as the 'Shri Ram Yantra.'
On March 20, she will visit Shri Premanand Ji Maharaj Ashram (Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj) at Parikrama Marg, Near Varah Ghat in Vrindavan.
She will visit the 'Samadhi' of Baba Neeb Karori in Vrindavan and pay floral tributes. She will also visit Udiya Baba Ashram and Davanal Kund in Vrindavan.
The President will inaugurate the new Oncology Block of Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram (Charitable Hospital) at Vrindavan and visit Vatsalya Gram.
On March 21, President Murmu will have a 'darshan' and participate in an 'aarti' at Danghati Mandir in Govardhan at 8.50 am.
She will then undertake Govardhan Parikrama, they said.