Sambalpur, Mar 2: President Droupadi Murmu and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan paid homage to Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi in Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Saturday.

The President and the Union Minister visited Rairakhol in the district and offered floral tributes to the statue of the saint.

"Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi, eminent poet and a great philosopher of Mahima Dharma, highlighted the principles, philosophy and approach of the Mahima Dharma in his poetry. He has created a new consciousness through his writings. Today, I feel honoured as I along with President Droupadi Murmu visited Bhima Bhoi's Ashram at Kankanpada in Rairakhol. May the views of  Bhima Bhoi be accepted by one and all,"  Minister Pradhan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Later, the duo visited Cousathi Siddhankara Dhooni Mandap at Madhupur and paid homage to the revered figure from the 19th century by pouring oil on the ever-lighted ‘Havan’.

They also visited the nearby Chausathi Siddhi Ashram. There, the President had a brief discussion with the monks and enquired about the old trees of the Ashram. She was presented with a photo of Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi and a book.

President Murmu is an admirer of Bhima Bhoi, whom she quoted in her first speech after taking oath as the President in July, 2022.

The President is scheduled to attend a civic reception in Sambalpur, and meet followers of the Mahima cult at the Mini Stadium here before returning to New Delhi.

President Murmu arrived in Mayurbhanj on February 28 on her four-day visit to the State, and attended a slew of events in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Ganjam, Cuttack and Khordha districts.

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