Vijayawada, Chief Justice of India Justice N.V. Ramana on Saturday offered prayers at Kanaka Durga temple here.

Accompanied by his wife, and clad in traditional dress, the chief justice paid obeisance at goddess Mahalkshmi on Indrakeeladri hill. The couple took part in the temple rituals and were blessed by Veda pundits.

Temple officials and priests welcomed the CJI and his wife. They later felicitated him and presented him 'prasadam' and mementoes.

Transport Minister Perni Nani, MP Kesineni Nani, endowments secretary Vani Mohan, endowment commissioner Hari Jawaharlal, Krishna district Collector J. Nivas and others welcomed the CJI.

The CJI, who is on a three-day visit to his home state, will attend high tea to be hosted by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy later in the day. At the programmes to be held at Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation (IGMC) stadium in Vijayawada, the chief minister will introduce his Cabinet colleagues to Justice Ramana.

This will be the first meeting between Justice Ramana and Jagan after the latter wrote a letter to then CJI, Justice S.A. Bobde, in October 2020 making certain allegations against Justice Ramana. The apex court had dismissed the complaint in March this year through an in-house procedure.

Justice Ramana had on Friday visited his native village Ponnavaram in Krishna district, where he was accorded civic reception. The CJI took a bullock cart ride in the village and also offered prayers at a local temple.

This was the maiden visit by Justice Ramana to his native village after taking over as CJI in April this year.