This is the second visit of Narayanan to Shimla after he became the President last year.

Though Shimla had been unusually hot during the past two weeks, the first summer rains played a perfect host to the President.

State Governor V. S. Rama Devi, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, his cabinet ministers, Mayor of Shimla Manoj Kumar and top government and police officials were at the helipad when Narayanan and his wife in two IAF helicopters landed at the helipad at noon. The Chief Minister introduced his cabinet ministers to the President.

Before the arrival of Narayanan, there was an element of uncertainty about the weather and his landing at the helipad, which is just 1 km away from The retreat. The state government had also made alternative arrangements for the landing at Annadale helipad, where Division Commissioner Deepak Shanan was deputed to receive the President.

When the President's helicopters started approaching Kalyani helipad, the sky was quite clear, but the moment the President and his wife came out, it started raining heavily. The president was immediately escorted to The Retreat, where the Governor and the Chief Minister also spent some time. The President said he was feeling "good'' in coming to Shimla.