The last journey of M Karunanidhi from Rajaji Hall to his final resting place next to his mentor Annadurai at Marina Beach, has just begun.
Draped in the tricolour wearing his iconic black spectacles, the glass coffin is being carried by the army to the gun carriage.  Karunanidhi was an atheist, so there will be no rituals.


The funeral procession will work its work through the lakhs of mourners via Sivananda Road and Thanthai Periyar Road to reach Anna Square.
He will be buried adjacent to mausoleum of former Chief Minister and his mentor C N Annadurai on the sands of Marina, it said. "Party supporters and public are requested to stay calm during the procession and pay their respects to the unparallelled leader," it said.


The golden casket in which the mortal remains of Karunanidhi would be laid to rest is engraved with the words in Tamil, "Oivu edukamal uzhaithavan, idho oivu eduthu kondu irukiran, meaning "one who worked hard without taking rest, is resting in peace here".

 
The Tamil Nadu government has announced a public holiday today as a mark of respect to Karunanidhi. All educational institutions, shops, business establishments, fuel outlets remained closed in the city. Cinema theatres have cancelled shows for the day.


Most roads wore a deserted look as state-owned transport corporation operated skeletal services and other public transport vehicles including autorickshaws stayed off roads in the city. Train services, however, operated as usual.