Puri (Odisha), March 18 (IANS): President Ram Nath Kovind released Rs 1,000 and Rs 10 commemorative coins on the occasion of Nabakalebar festival at a function here on Sunday.

Earlier, the government had announced the release of the coins marking the festival which is a symbolic recreation of sibling deities -- Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

Addressing the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, the President said Sanskrit was the language of science, law, philosophy, in addition to spirituality.

He spoke of the glory of Jagannath temple and Puri, one of the dhams for Hindus, which was visited by saints and spiritual leaders including Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanuja, Chaitanya and Guru Nanak and established their mutts to serve Lord Jagannath.

Odisha Governor S.C. Jamir, Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram were present at the function.

Earlier on Sunday, the President accompanied by his wife Savita Kovind visited the Srimandir here.

Due to Kovind's visit, the temple administration had closed 'darshan' for the public from 6.30 a.m. till 8.30 a.m.

"We ensured that the 'darshan' of the President is smooth and peaceful. The district administration had beefed up the security during his visit to Puri," said Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Pradeep Kumar Jena.