Bhubaneswar, March 6: After remaining unoccupied for nearly 25 years, the official residence of the Odisha Chief Minister has finally welcomed a new occupant. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his family moved into the residence today.
Majhi, accompanied by his wife, Priyanka Marandi, and their children, conducted a traditional Gruha Pravesh (housewarming) ceremony at 10:47 AM. The ritual was led by 11 priests from Puri, with Pandit Bishnu Charan Panda highlighting an important tradition: "The Chief Minister entered the residence with two cows, Nandi and Nandini, under Hindu Gruha Pravesh customs." These cows, worshipped as part of the ritual, will continue to reside on the premises.
Before shifting to the official residence, Majhi stayed in a government quarter on Mahatma Gandhi Marg. However, its proximity to an agitation site posed security concerns, prompting the move, an official source revealed.
The newly occupied Chief Minister’s residence, located between AG Chhak and Raj Bhavan, had remained vacant for over two decades, as former CM Naveen Patnaik preferred to stay at his private residence, Naveen Niwas, near the airport.
The two-story building, positioned close to the CM’s grievance cell, underwent extensive renovations over the past eight months. It now features upgraded conference rooms, a watchtower, and a spacious garden.
Previously, this official residence was home to former Chief Ministers JB Patnaik and Giridhar Gamang until 2000.
