KOLKATA, July 11, 2013:  Inaugurating a Rath Yatra organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness here on Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she would participate in the event as long as she was alive.  Lending a hand at pulling the rope fastened to a replica of the chariot of Lord Jagannath, she said: “All like to haul the chariot; some in their neighbourhoods, some in Puri [where the main festival is held]. It is like an addiction.”

 Ms. Banerjee also briefly joined in the ritual of sweeping the road for the chariot to pass through.

Ms. Banjerjee said: “Many people from Bengal too visit Puri each year [on this occasion]. We [the State government] have acquired a plot of land there and intend to set up accommodation for middle class visitors there from Bengal.”    

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 11, 2013.