KOTTAYAM: A special tomb is being prepared for the late former Chief Minister and Congress leader Oommen Chandy. The special tomb is being prepared in the Puthupally church next to the grave of priests. A separate tomb was built as per the decision of the church managing committee, excluding the family tomb at Karot Vallakal. Oommen Chandy will be cremated in a special grave at Pudupally cemetery on Thursday.

Oommen Chandy, who was undergoing cancer treatment passed away at around 4.25 am today at Chinmaya Hospital in Bengaluru. The body was brought to Thiruvananthapuram by a special flight from Bengaluru at 2.30 pm. Many people, including senior Congress leaders, reached the airport to take a last look at their beloved leader. Accompanied by a huge crowd, the body was taken to his residence Pudupally House in Thiruvananthapuram. Hundreds gathered here to catch a glimpse of the beloved leader.

After the public viewing at Pudupally House, the body was taken to the Durbar Hall of the Secretariat this evening. Followed by a public viewing at St. George's Orthodox Cathedral near the Secretariat where he often visited when he was in Thiruvananthapuram. The body will be taken back to his Thiruvananthapuram residence at night after a public viewing at Indira Bhavan, KPCC headquarters.

The mourning procession will leave for Kottayam tomorrow morning at seven o'clock. After a public viewing at Thirunakkara Maidan, the body will be brought to Puthupally by night. Funeral services will be held at Puthupally church on Thursday at 2 pm.