President Droupadi Murmu Visits Vijayawada To Open Rural Fair And Meet Women Groups

President Droupadi Murmu offered prayers at the Goddess Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada on Wednesday. Temple priests welcomed her at the Rajagopuram before she performed special prayers at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam. Local leaders and officials received the President upon her arrival, including Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita, and devasthanam Trust Board chairman Borra Radhakrishna. The temple executive officer, V.K. Seena Naik, presented her with a photograph of the main deity and laddu prasadam. Earlier in the day, Ms. Murmu landed at the Gannavaram airport in a special flight from Delhi and travelled by road to Vijayawada. Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Union Ministers K. Paswan and Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, and State Ministers Nara Lokesh and Kollu Ravindra welcomed her at the airport alongside other leaders.

Upcoming Events

On Thursday, the President will inaugurate the SARAS Mela at Punnami Ghat. The Andhra Pradesh Government and the Ministry of Rural Development are organizing this event together under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission. Following the inauguration, she will share lunch with members of self-help groups and Lakhpati Didis.

Context

Presidential visits to major religious shrines and state capitals often combine official state duties with cultural and community engagements. The SARAS Mela platform helps rural artisans sell their handmade products directly to buyers and supports women in rural self-help groups across the country.