Vajpayee's last rites were performed on the banks of Yamuna at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi.
Political stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee's demise on Thursday left entire nation and Indian diaspora across the globe in tears. One of the giant gentles of Indian politics died at the age of 93 in New Delhi. An orator par excellence, writer extraordinaire, left millions mourning the loss.
He left for his final journey from BJP headquarters in New Delhi where thousands gathered to get a final glimpse of the beloved leader. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and a host of ministers and party workers paid their last respects to the late leader, mourned by them and the opposition as one of India's tallest leaders.
In the morning, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paid homage to the former prime minister at his official residence.
Several foreign dignitaries, including the king of Bhutan and the Bangladesh's foreign minister, were also present.
The last rites were performed at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna. Foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya lit the pyre as cries of "Atal Bihari Amar Rahe" reverberated.
Here's a look at the final journey of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
1. One last time at BJP Headquarters
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Mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee being taken from his Krishna Menon Marg residence to BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg for the last rites, in New Delhi on Friday, August 17, 2018. (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma)
2. Convoy leaves with mortal remains of Vajpayee
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A convoy carrying the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee leaves from his Krishna Menon Marg residence towards BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg for the last rites, in New Delhi on Friday, August 17, 2018. (PTI Photo/Subhav Shukla)
3. Convoy on their way to BJP headquarters
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People walk along the cortege carrying the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee leaves from his Krishna Menon Marg residence towards BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg for the last rites, in New Delhi on Friday, August 17, 2018. (PTI Photo/Subhav Shukla)
4. Convoy makes its way to BJP HQ
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A view of the convoy, carrying the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg for the last public view, at Tilak Marg in New Delhi on Friday, August 17, 2018. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)
5. Crowd joins convoy
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People walk along the convoy carrying the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as it passes through Akbar Road towards the BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg for the last rites, in New Delhi on Friday, August 17, 2018. (PTI Photo/Subhav Shukla)
6. Rashtrapati Bhavan
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The national flag flies at half-mast at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on August 17, 2018(AFP/Prakash Singh)
7. Narendra Modi
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays a wreath on the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as he pays last respects at BJP headquarters, in New Delhi on Friday, August 17, 2018. (PTI Photo/Kamal Singh)
8. Lal Krishna Advani
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BJP veteran LK Advani pays his last respects to the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP headquarters at DDU Marg in New Delhi on Friday, August 17, 2018. A seven-day state mourning has been announced as a mark of respect for the former prime minister Vajpayee.(PTI Photo/Kamal Singh)
9. Amit Shah
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BJP President Amit Shah pays his last respects to the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP headquarters at DDU Marg in New Delhi on Friday, August 17, 2018. (PTI Photo/Kamal Singh)
10. Rajnath Singh
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Home Minister Rajnath Singh pays his last respects to the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP headquarters at DDU Marg in New Delhi on Friday, August 17, 2018. (PTI Photo/Kamal Singh)
11. PM Modi bids final goodbye
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays homage, along with leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party, to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee inside BJP headquarters in New Delhi, India, August 17, 2018. (REUTERS/Adnan Abidi)
12. Narendra Modi mourns the "irreplaceable loss"
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks behind a truck pulling the coffin with the body of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during a funeral procession in New Delhi on August 17, 2018. (AFP/Chandan Khanna)
13. Reaching social media
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Onlookers took upon themselves to share the moment on social media as several hands went up to click the images of the convoy and the procession. (AFP/Chandan Khanna)
14. BJP leaders at forefront of the crowd
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah, other leaders and general public participate in the last journey of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as his mortal remains are taken for cremation to Smriti Sthal, in New Delhi on Friday, Aug 17, 2018. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)
15. Vajpayee's mortal remains arrive at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others walk towards Rashtriya Smriti Sthal during the funeral procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in New Delhi on Friday, Aug 17, 2018. (PTI Photo/Kamal Singh)
16. President Ram Nath Kovind
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Indian President Ram Nath Kovind salutes over the casket at the funeral of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi on August 17, 2018. (AFP/Prakash Singh)
17. Dr Manmohan Singh
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India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh pays his respect to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee before his cremation in New Delhi, India, August 17, 2018. (REUTERS/Adnan Abidi)
18. Former president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai
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Hamid Karzai, the former Afghan president, stands over the casket at the funeral of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi on August 17, 2018.(AFP/Prakash Singh)
19. Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
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Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck pays tribute at the funeral of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi on August 17, 2018. (AFP/Prakash Singh)
20. One with the universe
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Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's adopted daughter Namita Bhattacharya (2L) and granddaughter Niharika (L) cry during his funeral in New Delhi on August 17, 2018. (AFP/Prakash Singh)
