Hundreds of mourners fought back tears as they stood in serpentine queues for the final glimpse of this island's most famous son--former President A P J Abdul Kalam--as he lay in state, back in his home town one last time.
There was spontaneous outpouring of grief in the temple town as the mortal remains of the hugely popular former President arrived here from New Delhi.
Grieving locals lined either side of the 10-km road from Mandapam to Rameshwaram as the mortal remains of the 'People's President' were brought to a place near the New Bus Stand here for people to pay their homage.
The young and the old shut their eyes and folded their hands in reverence as the gun carriage carrying the 'Missile Man' of India passed them by.
Crowds gathered on the road in many places, as the vehicle inched its way to Rameswaram, pleading with the driver to go slow so they could have a clearer view of the man, whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi called a "jewel" the nation lost.
There was some commotion when Kalam's remains arrived at the helipad from Madurai with mourners making a dash for the helicopter. The situation was, however, soon brought under control.
Braving sweltering heat, thousands waited patiently for his body to arrive in Rameswaram, with their numbers swelling by the hour.
The last rites after 'Namaz-e-Janaza' of the 83-year-old former Head of State, who passed away suddenly in Shillong on Monday, will be performed here around 11 am tomorrow and would be attended by Prime Minister Modi and a host of political leaders, including some Chief Ministers.
Kalam's remains would be handed over to his family for ceremonies after public homage at 8 pm this evening.
The governments in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry have declared a public holiday tomorrow as a mark of respect to Kalam.
