Bhubaneswar: President Pratibha Patil
arrived here on Tuesday on a three-day maiden tour of Orissa after
assuming office.
Patil, who is scheduled to visit Shri Jagannath Temple
at Puri and the Sun Temple at Konark during the visit, arrived
by special IAF aircraft 'Raj Kamal'.
Patil, who was accorded a warm welcome by Governor M C
Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, drove to Raj
Bhavan following a ceremonial guard of honour.
The President is scheduled to visit Konark and spend
about an hour at the Sun Temple tomorrow. Thereafter, she will
have a 'darshan' of Lord Jagannth at the 12th century shrine
in Puri.
Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has made
elaborate arrangements for the VVIP's visit, barring other
devotees from entering the temple on security grounds. A
senior officer said she is expected to spend about an hour in
the temple premises.
At Puri, the President is scheduled to inaugurate
'Urban Haat', set up on lines of the 'Delhi Haat'. Patil will
leave for Delhi on the morning of December 10.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, December 08, 2009, 15:17