Thousands walked with the cortège carrying the mortal remains of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to his final resting place, Smriti Sthal on Friday (August 17) afternoon. In the walk were Prime Minster Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah (Anil Shakya’s picture above), along with a host of dignitaries who have come down to mourn the death of Vajpayee. The body of the late Prime Minster was carried on a military gun carriage as per state funeral tradition.

Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk is here to pay his respects and condolences have poured in from heads of states around the world.

The path of the funeral procession was through Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Delhi Gate, Netaji Subhash Marg, Nishadraj Marg and Shanti Van before reaching Smriti Sthal.

The funeral, at 4pm, was also attended by several South Asian leaders. They include (as per the MEA) His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk of Bhutan; Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Foreign Minister of Nepal; Abul Hassan Mahmud Ali, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh; Ali Zafar, Minister of Law of Pakistan; and Lakshman Kiriella, Acting Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka.

The mortal remains of Vajpayee halted at the BJP Headquarters in Delhi.

– India Legal Bureau