Tamil Nadu: Former Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam was laid to rest on Thursday in Tamil Nadu with full military honours in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other leaders.

The body of Kalam—known as People’s President— was draped in the Indian tricolour and brought to the burial site at Pei Karumbu in a flower-bedecked gun carriage, escorted by columns of the three armed services.

People in large numbers lined up along the route to catch a last glimpse of Kalam, the rocket and missile scientist.

Many had climbed atop an under construction building and other buildings.

A gun salute was accorded to the former supreme commander of the armed forces and a military band played the haunting ‘Last Post’.

After Kalam’s body was lowered into the earth, prayers were held following which the grave was closed and then covered with flower petals.

Modi, who arrived here on Thursday morning, paid his last respects to the country’s youth icon and popular president by laying a wreath.

Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah, union Ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu, Manohar Parrikar and Pon Radhakrishnan, Tamil Nadu ministers O.Panneerselvam, Natham R. Viswanathan and others also paid their last respects to Kalam.

Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam and Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy were also present, as was Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders also paid their last respects to Kalam.

Earlier the mortal remains of India’s eleventh president were taken to the family mosque for prayers.

‘All our relatives have also arrived to attend the last rites,’ said APJMK Sheik Saleem, the former president’s brother’s grandson.

The Tamil Nadu government declared a public holiday on Thursday under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Banks, insurance companies, schools and colleges were closed throughout the state.

Kalam died while addressing students at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong on Monday.