A pall of gloom descended on the Krishna Menon Marg where politicians and members of the public gathered to pay their final tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence.
Shouting slogans like 'Atalji amar rahe' (long live Atalji) and 'Vande Mataram', scores of people outside Vajpayee's residence sombrely stood outside with flowers in their hands to catch a glimpse of their leader.
The road turned into a high security zone with politicians across the party lines coming to pay tribute to him.
Vajpayee died earlier today due to multiple organ failure at AIIMS. He was 93. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited his residence and stayed for over an hour.
Other leaders to visit him were External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and BJP veteran LK Advani.
Former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Kalyan Singh said he would always remember Vajpayee for his charisma and great leadership skills.
His tearful nephew Anoop Mishra said Vajpayee has left a void that is impossible to fill.
"It is a very big loss for us and his death has left a void that would be impossible to fill," said Mishra.
People from all walks of life and ages stood outside his residence.
Ramesh Singh, 19, remembers Vajpayee's witty response to a Pakistani minister that "Kashmir ke bina Pakistan Adhura hai" (Pakistan is incomplete without Kashmir) to which the former Indian prime minister had said that "Pakistan ke bina Hindustan adhura hai" (Without Pakistan, India is incomplete).
"That was the spirit of my hero," Singh said, wiping his tears.
Bina Kumari, a teacher from Lucknow, had come to Delhi to see him for one last time.
She said when Vajpayee had come to her locality in Lucknow, he had promised to make sure that she would be given a 'pukka' home. She considered it a hollow promise but was surprised when he fulfilled it within one year.
Kumari, now 76, says she would never forget his favour. He was truly a people's leader, she added.
Khushboo Yash expecting her baby next month stood silently in line. She says she plans to name her child Atal if he is a boy.
"We were lucky to be able to be governed under him. We hope he is at peace," she added.
A seven-day state mourning has been announced by the central government as a mark of respect to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who died after prolonged illness at AIIMS in the national capital. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India.
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