PM Modi, thousands others bid adieu to Kalam at his funeral in Rameswaram
The mortal remains of the former president, who died on Monday, were taken from his ancestral house to the local mosque ahead of the funeral.
More than one lakh people from all walks of life had thronged the island town to pay last respects.
Besides the Prime Minister Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and a host of other dignitaries, including chief ministers of some states, attended the last rites.
At the Pei Karumbu ground, Prime Minister Narendra Modi saluted Kalam's body which was wrapped in the Indian Tricolour, before the last rites.
The body of Kalam, who died in Shillong on Monday, was brought to his ancestral house on Pallivasal Street around 10 PM on Wednesday night and was kept there in the privacy of his family till Thursday morning.
Thousands of people from all over the country kept pouring through the night to pay their last respects to Kalam, who was loved and adored by the masses. They came to Rameswaram in buses, trains and even boats.
On Thursday morning the streets of the town were chock-a-block as Kalam's body was taken from his ancestral home to a mosque in a casket. His body was covered with a traditional green shawl.
The body was carried by personnel of the three services.
Then his body was taken in a carriage covered with flowers to the burial site.
Kalam's family, including his eldest brother 99-year-old Mohammed Muthu Meera Lebbai Maraicker accompanied his body.
Shops, business establishments and hotels remained shut in the town and throughout Tamil Nadu as a mark of respect to the late leader fondly called the "People's President".
Principal Spokesperson, Ministry of Defence,Sitanshu Kar earlier tweeted: "The rush at #Rameswaram .. to pay homage to #PeoplesPresident #APJAbdulKalam."
Kalam, a scientist of eminence and Bharat Ratna, died at age 83 following a massive heart attack while speaking at a programme of Indian Institute of Management, Shillong.
His death brought an end to an era in the world of Indian science and politics as he was seen by the country both as the 'People's President' and the 'Missile Man'.
Kalam had served as the 11th President of India from July 25, 2002- July 25, 2007.
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