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By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, March 18, 2018: President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday released Rs 10 and Rs 1000 commemorative coins on Lord Jagannath’s Nabakalebar festival at a function of Rastriya Sanskrit Sansthan at Puri.

The Union Government had earlier announced release of coins of Rs 10 and Rs 1,000 denominations to mark the symbolic recreation of sibling deities including Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and devi Subhadra.

In his maiden visit to Odisha after assuming office as the President, Ram Nath Kovind earlier visited Puri Srimandir to seek blessings of Lord Jagannath.

Elaborate arrangements were made by district administration and the officials of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) for the President’s visit to the temple.

Kovind along with his wife had a darshan of the sibling deities from inside the Garbha Griha of the 12th century shrine.

“Today, I had a darshan of Lord Jagannath in Puri and prayed for peace, prosperity for the people of the country,” said Kovind.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was also present on the occasion.

President Ram Nath Kovind arrived on a two-day Odisha visit on Saturday and dedicated Ananda Bhawan Museum-cum-learning centre to the nation at a special function held in Cuttack. Later in the day, he also delivered the 3rd Foundation Day lecture at National Law University in Cuttack.