Sabarimala (Kerala), Oct 22 (UNI) In a moment steeped in faith and history, President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple today marked a symbolic union of two of India’s most distinguished postal identities — PIN 110004, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, and PIN 689713, Sabarimala, Kerala.
Nestled in the mist-clad hills of Pathanamthitta, Sabarimala is home to one of India’s most unique post offices — the Sannidhanam Post Office (PIN 689713), Travancore Devaswom Board officials said.
Operating only during the temple’s annual pilgrimage season, it stands as a divine institution dedicated exclusively to Lord Ayyappa.
Established in 1963, it introduced a special postal seal in 1974, depicting the iconic 18 sacred steps and the image of Lord Ayyappa.
This postmark, treasured by devotees across the world, is applied to letters and cards sent from the hilltop shrine — each one a token of faith.
After the pilgrimage season, the seal is carefully stored at the Pathanamthitta Postal Superintendent’s office, preserving decades of tradition.
Despite its remote location, the Sannidhanam Post Office offers modern services such as mobile recharges, India Post Payments Bank facilities, money orders, and parcel deliveries.
Managed by a small but dedicated team of one postmaster and two multi-tasking staff, it ensures seamless operations throughout the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season.
As the nation’s first citizen ascended the sacred 18 steps to offer prayers at the hill shrine, the event resonated deeply across the country — where the guardian of the Constitution met the guardian of faith, officials added.
President Murmu’s pilgrimage blended devotion and duty, embodying the harmony between India’s spiritual traditions and its democratic ethos.
President Murmu’s prayers today, offered for national peace, unity, and well-being, carried immense symbolic weight. Her presence at the shrine underscored the enduring coexistence of India’s constitutional ideals and its deep-rooted spiritual heritage.
For devotees and officials alike, this was more than just a visit — it was a moment where the rhythms of governance and grace intertwined.
As the echoes of her prayers fade into the forested hills, history will remember this day as the moment when PIN 110004 met PIN 689713 — and faith found harmony with the Republic.
