Prez arrives in Tirupati on two-day visit

Tirupati: President Ramnath Kovind along with his wife Savita Kovind visited two temples in Tirupati and worshipped Goddess Padmavati and Kapileswara Swamy on Saturday. The President reached Tirupati on Saturday evening on a two-day visit to the pilgrim city.

From airport his entourage left for Tiruchanur to visit Padmavathi Ammavari temple there. He was received at the temple main entrance with 'Isthikafal' welcome in a traditional way by temple priests. The President was accompanied by Governor ESL Narasimhan.

He was received at the temple by TTD Chairman SV Subba Reddy, government whip and TUDA Chairman Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, TTD EO Anil Kumar Singhal, Chittoor Collector Dr N Bharat Gupta, Urban SP KKN Anbu Rajan, Rayalaseema IG G Sreenivas and other officials. The President couple offered prayers to the presiding deity after which they were given 'Vedaseervachanam' and 'Prasadams'.

Later, they proceeded to Kapilatheertham to offer prayers to Kapileswara Swamy and his consort Kamakshi. The Shiva Linga in the temple was said to be self-manifested. The President and his wife also offered prayers at Navagraha Mantapam inside the temple. After visiting the temple, President Kovind, Governor Narasimhan and others have reached Tirumala where they were received by the TTD authorities.

The visiting dignitaries will stay there overnight and worship Lord Balaji on Sunday morning. Ram Nath Kovind will leave for Sriharikota in Nellore district on Sunday evening by an Indian Air force helicopter from Tirupati Airport where he will participate in the launch event of Chandrayaan-2 in the early hours of Monday. After the programme, he will again reach Tirupati Airport en route to New Delhi at 10 am on Monday.

Earlier, the President was received at the airport by Governor ESL Narasimhan, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister K Narayana Swamy, Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development P Ramachandra Reddy, MPs, MLAs and other district officials.

Chief Minister Jagan has reached Tirupati airport a little earlier than the President's arrival. Soon after his departure to Tiruchanur, the Chief Minister left for Vijayawada by a special flight. Also, Governor Narasimhan reached Tirupati on Sunday morning and visited Tiruchanoor temple immediately after his arrival in the city.