TIRUMALA, July 16: The President, Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, is planning what is perceived as a farewell visit to the famous hill shrine here, where he has been a regular worshipper since the sixties. Dr Sharma is scheduled to lay down office barely a week from now. An ardent devotee of Lord Venkateshwara, his many gifts include a pair of diamond-studded earrings and a stone-studded watch. The President is scheduled to attend the pre-dawn rituals at the Lord Venkateshwara temple on Friday, including Suprabhatham and Thomala Seva. He will later offer prayers to Goddess Padmavathi at Tiruchanoor, before leaving for New Delhi.

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