Kottayam | In a solemn and heartfelt ceremony, thousands of mourners bid farewell to the late Oommen Chandy, who held a special place in the hearts of the people of Kerala due to his decades-long political career. Following days of mourning and public viewings at various locations, Oommen Chandy's mortal remains were finally interred in his hometown, Puthuppally.
The burial, in accordance with the late Congress leader's wish, was conducted with simplicity and without any state honours. The funeral service was presided over by Basilios Marthoma Mathews III Catholicate Bava, and Cardinal Mar George Alencheri graced the occasion with his presence.
The three-day-long public tribute in Karnataka and Kerala concluded with the funeral services at midnight on Thursday at St. George's Orthodox Church in Puthuppally. During the funeral procession to the church, a multitude of people paid their final respects in an emotionally charged atmosphere filled with slogans and dirges.
As Oommen Chandy's remains journeyed to the Puthuppally church, tens of thousands of people walked with the ambulance, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also joined the mourning procession during the last stage.
His mortal remains reached Puthuppally, the constituency he had represented in the State Assembly for over five decades, after a journey of around 150 kilometres. However, the journey took much longer than anticipated due to the overwhelming gathering of people along the route, who sought one last glimpse of their beloved leader.
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, political leaders, cultural icons, religious figures, and thousands of others paid their heartfelt tributes at Thirunakkara ground in Kottayam town when the remains were brought there.
Chandy's ancestral home, 'Karottu Vallakkalil,' witnessed emotional scenes as his body arrived, as it had been a place where he generously addressed
the grievances of his constituents and neighboring areas during weekends. The doors of his home always remained open to people, who came at any time of the day or night to share their concerns with their leader.
The funeral procession started from Chandy's yet unfinished new home nearby, where prayers were held before proceeding to the Puthuppally church, where he was laid to rest in a specially prepared grave next to the final resting places of revered priests.
Oommen Chandy's final journey began on Wednesday morning from Thiruvananthapuram, where he had spent a significant part of his political career as a legislator, Congress party leader, and chief minister. He passed away at the age of 79 in a private hospital in Bengaluru while undergoing cancer treatment, leaving behind a legacy of service and devotion to the people of Kerala.
