President Murmu to visit Naina Devi temple, AIIMS Bilaspur and Atal Tunnel on Oct 6-8 HP tour
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu's October 6-8 Himachal Pradesh tour packs in three symbolic stops — the revered Naina Devi temple, the inaugural AIIMS Bilaspur convocation, and the strategically vital Atal Tunnel at Rohtang, a visit that had to be aborted in April due to bad weather. The rescheduled tunnel stop underlines the site's continuing national significance.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit Himachal Pradesh from 6 to 8 October 2026 .
She will offer prayers at the Naina Devi temple on 6 October , travelling by road from Anandpur Sahib, Punjab .
Murmu will attend the first convocation ceremony of AIIMS Bilaspur as chief guest on the same day.
Devotee entry to the Naina Devi temple is suspended from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 6 October; both the temple and AIIMS campus are declared no-drone zones .
The visit to the Atal Tunnel at Rohtang was previously cancelled in April 2026 due to adverse weather conditions.
The Atal Tunnel was inaugurated in October 2020 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , providing all-weather connectivity between Manali and Lahaul Valley.
President Droupadi Murmu will undertake a three-day visit to Himachal Pradesh from 6 to 8 October 2026, with a packed itinerary that includes offering prayers at the hilltop Naina Devi temple, presiding over the first convocation ceremony of AIIMS Bilaspur, and visiting the strategically significant Atal Tunnel at Rohtang in the Kullu district. The visit marks a rescheduled attempt to cover the tunnel — a stop that had to be cancelled during Murmu's previous Himachal Pradesh visit in April this year due to adverse weather.
Itinerary on October 6
On 6 October, President Murmu will travel by road from Anandpur Sahib in Punjab to offer obeisance at the Naina Devi temple. After the temple visit, she will return to Anandpur Sahib before proceeding to the AIIMS Bilaspur campus, where she will attend the institution's inaugural convocation ceremony as chief guest. She is expected to spend approximately two to three hours at the ceremony before departing for Manali.
Devotee Entry Suspended, No-Drone Zones Declared
In anticipation of the Presidential visit, devotee entry to the Naina Devi temple will be suspended between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. on 6 October. The local administration has urged pilgrims wishing to visit the shrine that day to complete their prayers before 7 a.m. or after 1 p.m. Both the Naina Devi temple and the AIIMS campus have been designated no-drone zones during the President's presence. Security arrangements at each location have been divided into three sectors, with Punjab and Himachal Pradesh Police jointly overseeing security during inter-state movement. Officials noted that alternative arrangements have been put in place to minimise disruption to schools and traffic.
The Strategic Atal Tunnel Visit
The visit to the Atal Tunnel is expected to be the centrepiece of the tour. Inaugurated in October 2020 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the tunnel provides all-weather road connectivity between Manali and the Lahaul Valley, eliminating the need to traverse the high-altitude Rohtang Pass and significantly reducing travel distance to the remote Lahaul-Spiti region. The tunnel has particular strategic value given its location near sensitive northern borders. Notably, Murmu's scheduled visit to the tunnel during her April 2026 HP tour was cancelled due to inclement weather, making this a second attempt.
October 7: Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali
During her overnight stay in Manali, President Murmu will also visit the historic Hidimba Devi Temple on 7 October. The temple, nestled in a dense forest at the foothills of the Himalayas, is one of Manali's most revered landmarks. The President's route has largely been planned within campus and established sites to minimise public disruption throughout the tour.
Point of View
A medical institution's milestone, and a strategic infrastructure landmark tells its own story about what governments want high-office visits to signal. The Atal Tunnel stop is particularly notable — its cancellation in April and reinstatement here suggests the connectivity symbolism matters enough to reschedule. The AIIMS Bilaspur convocation, the institution's very first, also deserves attention: it marks a coming-of-age moment for a hospital that serves a medically underserved hill belt. Yet the logistical burden on ordinary devotees — a six-hour suspension of access to one of Himachal Pradesh's most visited temples — is a reminder that VIP protocols carry real public costs.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of President Murmu's Himachal Pradesh visit from October 6-8?
President Droupadi Murmu will visit Himachal Pradesh from 6 to 8 October 2026 to offer prayers at the Naina Devi temple, attend the first convocation ceremony of AIIMS Bilaspur as chief guest, visit the strategic Atal Tunnel at Rohtang, and pay respects at the Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali.
Will the Naina Devi temple be open to devotees on October 6?
Devotee entry to the Naina Devi temple will be suspended from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 6 October due to President Murmu's visit. The administration has advised pilgrims to complete their prayers before 7 a.m. or after 1 p.m. on that day.
Why was the Atal Tunnel visit rescheduled?
President Murmu had originally planned to visit the Atal Tunnel during her previous Himachal Pradesh tour in April 2026, but the visit was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. The October tour reinstates the stop.
What is the Atal Tunnel and why is it significant?
The Atal Tunnel at Rohtang, inaugurated in October 2020 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, provides all-weather road connectivity between Manali and the Lahaul Valley, eliminating dependence on the high-altitude Rohtang Pass. It has strategic importance given its proximity to sensitive northern borders and has transformed connectivity for the remote Lahaul-Spiti region.
What security measures are in place for the President's visit?
Security at both the Naina Devi temple and the AIIMS Bilaspur campus has been divided into three sectors each. Punjab and Himachal Pradesh Police will jointly manage security during inter-state movement. Both venues have been declared no-drone zones, and alternative arrangements have been made to reduce disruption to schools and traffic.
