Puri: The ashes of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee were immersed in the Mahodadhi (Bay of Bengal) here on Thursday afternoon.
The ashes were immersed with Vedic rituals amid chants of ‘Vajpayee Amar Rahe’ by thousands of people who had gathered at the beach. Among those present were senior BJP leaders including Basanta Panda, KV Singhdeo, Dharmendra Pradhan and Bhrugu Buxtipatra.
Before the immersion, the ashes were taken for a parikrama around the Jagannath Temple.
Earlier in the day, the ashes of the former Prime Minister were taken in a huge procession from the BJP state headquarters in Bhubaneswar.
People in thousands waiting on both sides of the road offered floral tributes to the departed soul.
The ashes, which were received by the BJP state president, Basanta Panda from the Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi on Wednesday were brought to the state capital in a flight in the evening. Later, they were kept at the BJP state headquarters for the people to pay their last tribute.
There will be an all-party memorial meeting at the Exhibition Ground in the city on Friday afternoon.
BJP state vice president Samir Mohanty said the ashes of the former prime minister would be immersed in Mahanadi, Baitarani, Baitarani and Rushikulya rivers in phases. Besides, prayer meetings will also be organised in all districts and zones.
Meanwhile, Mohanty and Union Minister Jual Oram met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas and senior Congress leader Narasingh Mishra at his official residence in the evening and invited them to attend the all-party memorial meeting.