Madurai, Feb 18 (Representative) President Droupady Murmu arrived heretoday morning on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu.This is her first visit to Tamil Nadu after assuming office as thePresident of India.She was received at the airport by Governor R.N.Ravi, State ITand Digital Services Minister T.Mano Thangaraj, Madurai DistirctCollector and senior officials.After the brief reception, she drove down to the famous MeenakshiSundareswarar temple and offered worship. She is also likely to takepart in the Annadhanam (free meals to devotees) scheme in thetemple. The President spent about 45 minutes at the temple during which shealso witnessed the temple tank.After offering worship at the temple, she will fly to Coimbatore whereshe will take part in the Mahashivaratri Celebrations at the Isha YogaCentre.Ms Murmu would be the Chief guest at the Maha Shivratri functionduring which she will worship at Dhyanalinga and Yogeswara Lingaat the Isha Foundation.
After an overnight stay at the Government Guest House at Race course, Ms Murmu will visit the Wellington Military Centre at Coonoor in NilgirisDistrict by helicopter tomorrow and pay her respects by placing a wreathat the war memorial.From Wellington, she will reach Coimbatore airport by helicopter andfly back to Delhi. Police have made elaborate security arrangements in Madurai and inthe Textile city of Coimbatore in view of President’s visit. Police sources said a five-tier security has been put in place in and aroundthe temple in Madurai and have installed more than 100 CCTV cameras.Vehicle checks have been intensified and barricades were erected.More than 3,000 police personnel were deployed on security duty andeight watch towers were erected in and around the temple as part ofheightened security arrangements. Security was also tightened in Coimbatore as part of the President’s visitwith the deployment of more than 5,000 police personnel in the city and insuburbs.Police have also banned flying of drones in both the cities in view of thePresident’s visit.