President Pranab Mukherjee visits Tirumala

Tirupati: President Pranab Mukherjee arrived tonight at Tirumala, the famous hill abode of Lord Venkateswara near here, on a spiritual sojourn.

During his maiden visit after assuming the highest office, Mr Mukherjee would offer worship at three shrines, including the ancient hill temple, temple sources told PTI.

After an overnight stay, Mr Mukherjee would offer worship to Lord Venkateswara at the crack of dawn tomorrow.

The President would first pray at the Adi Varahaswamy temple situated on the banks of the Holy tank close to the shrine of Lord Venkateswara, the sources said.

Later, the President would inaugurate a  pilgrims' guest house complex--'Nandakam Guest House'-- constructed at a cost of Rs.36 crore.

Mukherjee would later spend some time with students of the 130-year-old Sri Venkateswara Veda School on the hills, they said.

Before winding up his pilgrimage, Mr Mukherjee would also offer worship at the Sri Alamel Mangai temple in Tiruchanur near here, they added.

Tight security arrangements are being made in view of his visit, sources added.

Among those who received Mr Mukherjee at the Reniguntta airport were Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan and Chief Minister N Kirankumar Reddy.

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