It's waiting time at Rameswaram. While the crowd control is amazing at the venue in Rameswaram where A P J Abdul Kalam's body will be brought for paying tribute, a serpentine queue of people waiting in the merciless sun, to say farewell to a man who ignited dreams, has already begun. 

There is a phalanx of khaki-clad men, the only ones allowed in so far are the ones with Press cards but that will change in a while.

Kalam's brother's house has been overrun by the media, security men and public. Seating arrangements have been provided, and police hints at VIP movement later in the day.  Six chief ministers are expected to pay their respects at Rameswaram, apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalitha will not be at the funeral, but is sending seven ministers to attend. Several dignitaries are expected to visit the town today to pay homage to Kalam. Rameswaram is under a security cordon, with vehicular traffic restricted. The town is full of boards paying homage to its most illustrious son.