Vajpayee's ashes to be immersed in rivers in Goa on Aug 24

The ashes of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would be immersed in the Mandovi and Zuari rivers of Goa on August 24, a senior BJP official said today.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will immerse the ashes in the Mandovi river while South Goa BJP MP Narendra Sawaikar will do the same in the Zuari river, state party president Vinay Tendulkar told reporters here.

Parrikar, who is in the US for a medical check-up, is scheduled to return to Goa on August 23.

Tendulkar said he would go to New Delhi to collect the 'kalash' (urn containing the ashes), which would be taken around the state before immersing the ashes in the two prominent rivers of Goa.

"The ashes will be brought to Goa tomorrow evening and will be be kept at BJP state head office here so that the party workers and others can pay their tributes," he said.

Vajpayee was a great leader and many would like to pay their tributes to him, Goa BJP general secretary Sadanand Tanavade said.

The BJP will hold a 'kalash yatra' across the state on August 23 and 24 before immersion of the ashes, he said.

The BJP had said earlier that Vajpayee's ashes will be immersed in various rivers across the country.

One of the most charismatic leaders in independent India, Vajpayee died in Delhi on August 16 at the age of 93. He was cremated with full state honours at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in the national capital on August 17.