Panaji, July 7, 2013: The annual rath yatra of Lord Jagannath will be held on July 10 for the fourth consecutive year in the city by Shree Jagannath Temple Trust, Goa, and the All Goa Oriya Association in association with ISKCON.

Thousands of people pull the chariot from Miramar to Mandovi ferry point on the occasion.

The chariot will start from Miramar Circle at 2.30 p.m. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will offer the first puja at Miramar. North Goa MP Shripad Nayak will offer puja at Kala Academy. A host of other dignitaries and special invitees will offer puja during the course of the rath yatra. Lord Jagannath is considered the supreme deity of Nilachal Dham or modern Odisha and the chariot festival at Puri symbolises the ultimate religious cultural extravaganza, which is being simultaneously celebrated all over the world. The rath yatra in the city will culminate at the ferry point at 6 p.m. with a final puja.

The celebration will be followed by a discourse by ISKCON spiritual leaders and researchers followed by bhajan, kirtan and prasad at the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., said P.R. Pradhan, media cell in-charge of the celebrations committee.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 7, 2013.