Mortal remains of SM Krishna taken to Somanahalli, thousands offer last respects enroute

BENGALURU, MANDYA: The mortal remains of former Chief Minister and former External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, who passed away in Bengaluru on Tuesday, was on Wednesday taken by road to his native village Somanahalli in Maddur taluk of Mandya district. People had lined up all along the route to pay their last respects to the departed leader.

The cortege carrying the mortal remains left from the Sadashivnagar residence on Wednesday morning and passed through Mehkri Circle, Windsor Manor bridge, Hudson Circle and onward to Mysuru Road. Flexes condoling the death of Krishna lined up all along the route up to Maddur.

The cortege made stops along the route to enable people to pay their last respects. People had lined up on flyovers and skywalks and showered flower petals. The procession stopped near Krishna Priya Theatre in Kengeri for some time where MLA S T Somashekar and his supporters offered their last respects. Water tankers cleaned the road along the route.

At BGS Circle in Bidadi, Congress leader D K Suresh and Balakrishna paid their last respects. School and college students had also lined up along the route to pay their respects. Several citizens also accompanied the cortege along the route.

Preparations afoot for the last rites.

The last rites will be conducted by Bhanuprakash Sharma and 15 other priests as per Vokkaliga rituals at the Cafe Coffee Day premises at Somanahalli. Sandalwood will be used for the pyre. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, other ministers and MLA, family members, seers and others are expected to take part.