Parrikar's last rites to take place in Panaji on Mar 18

The last rites of Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar will be performed at Miramar here on Monday evening, a BJP spokesperson said. Parrikar, 63, died at his private residence at Dona Paula near the state capital on Sunday evening after long illness.

A four-term chief minister and former defence minister, Parrikar had been battling a pancreatic ailment since February last year.The BJP stalwart's health, which has been fluctuating for over a year, took a turn for the worse in the past two days. Parrikar's mortal remains will be kept at the BJP head office from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on Monday, before shifting them to the Kala Academy, the spokesperson said.

People will be allowed to pay their last respects to the chief minister at the academy between 11 am and 4 pm, he said. Parrikar's final journey will begin after 4 pm when his remains will be taken to Miramar area in a procession, the spokesperson said, adding that the final rites will be performed at 5 pm.

The central government has announced national mourning on Monday, officials said. The national flag will fly at half-mast in Delhi, the Union territories and state capitals.