THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Oommen Chandy, who lived among the people with a bright smile and gave his life towards serving them, has bid adieu leaving Kerala in a deep state of mourning. Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy (79), who has been incomparable in Congress politics and Kerala politics, will now reside in the hearts of millions.

Oommen Chandy died at 4.25 am yesterday at Chinmaya Hospital in Bengaluru where he was undergoing treatment for cancer. His son Chandy Oommen confirmed the news of demise through social media.

His wife Mariamma Oommen, children Mariam, Chandi, Achu and grandchildren were near him at the time of death.

Funeral will be held tomorrow at 2.30 pm at Kottayam's Puthupally St. George's Orthodox Great Church Cemetery.

A public holiday was announced in the state yesterday as a tribute to Oommen Chandy. Three days of official mourning was also announced.

The body was brought to Thiruvananthapuram from Bangalore at around 2.30 pm yesterday. People thronged to pay their last respects to the beloved leader in the capital. It took about two hours to bring the body from the airport to his home, Puthupally House, in Jagathy, as a funeral procession. People were thronging both sides of the road from the airport. Ambulances were stopped at many places to pay their last respects. There was an endless flow of leaders, activists and common people.

There were emotional scenes at Puthupally House. AK Antony, who was in tears, hugged Oommen Chandy's son Chandy after paying his last respects.

From there, the body was taken to the Durbar Hall of the Secretariat. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reached the Durbar Hall and paid his last respects. By nightfall, the body was taken to the nearby Palayam St. George Orthodox Church and after prayer services there, the body was taken to Indira Bhavan, the headquarters of the KPCC. Then again the body was taken to Puthupally House.

This morning, the procession will be taken to Kottayam via MC Road in a decorated vehicle. First public viewing will be held at Thirunakkara Maidanam and in the evening at Puthupalli. There will also be a mourning procession around the city.