The mortal remains of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who died on Monday, July 27, were taken from his ancestral house in Rameswaram to the local mosque ahead of the funeral as thousands of mourners, young and old, poured into the island town to pay their last respects.

The body of the 'Missile Man' was brought to his house on the narrow Pallivasal Street around 10 pm last night after lying in state and left in the privacy of his family till Monday morning.

Thousands of mourners kept pouring through the night by various means of transport including buses, trains and boats to attend the last rites and many of them even slept on the roads last night. 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'.

Police said tight security arrangements have been made in and around the town and Navy, Coast Guard and marine police personnel deployed in the sea. Tamil Nadu Government has declared a public holiday on Thursday, July 30, as a mark of respect to Kalam.

Former ISRO Chairman Madhavan Nair pays his last respects to former President APJ Abdul Kalam at public view ground in Rameswaram | Source: PTI