Bhubaneswar, Dec 26: The Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar, will undertake a three-day official visit to Odisha beginning December 27. His itinerary combines spiritual engagements, cultural exploration, and administrative responsibilities, officials said on Friday.

On Saturday, Kumar will visit Puri to offer prayers at the revered Shree Jagannath Temple, followed by a tour of the iconic Konark Sun Temple. The next day, he is scheduled to explore Odisha’s rich heritage, including the artisan village of Raghurajpur, the Dhauli Shanti Stupa symbolizing peace, the historic Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves, and the Mukteswar Temple, known for its exquisite architecture.

The official leg of his tour will culminate on Monday, with a meeting at 3:00 PM with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) auditorium in Bhubaneswar. Kumar is expected to address key electoral preparedness issues and interact with officers to strengthen grassroots election management. He will depart from Bhubaneswar later that evening.

The visit underscores the Election Commission’s commitment to engaging with local officers while also highlighting Odisha’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Kumar’s tour is seen as a blend of tradition and duty, reflecting the Commission’s outreach ahead of forthcoming electoral exercises.