KOTTAYAM: The public homage of former chief minister Oommen Chandy has started in Thirunakkara Maidan. The funeral procession, which started yesterday morning from Chandy's house in Thiruvananthapuram reached Thirunakkara in twenty-eight hours after receiving the respect of lakhs of people. Lakhs including women and children have thronged in and around Thirunakkara for a last glimpse of their beloved leader. Thirunakkara Maidanam has literally turned into a sea of people. Actors Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Dileep, ministers and other political leaders paid their last respects at Thirunakkara. By the time the procession reached Kottayam DCC office, tens of thousands paid their respects.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who reached Kochi to attend the funeral of the leader, will reach Puthupally by afternoon. Cardinal Mar Alencherry will attend the funeral services.

The body will be laid to rest at the specially erected tomb of St George Church in Puthupally after the public homage at the family house and after the prayers conducted at the courtyard of his dream house which is under construction.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and many others will attend Chandy’s funeral. Security has been beefed up.

The funeral procession which started from Puthupally House in Jagathy, Thiruvananthapuram at 7 am yesterday reached Kottayam after taking around twenty-two and a half hours. Even after midnight, thousands lined up on the roads with lighted candles for a last glimpse of their popular leader. There was no shortage of crowds even in the morning.