Photogallery: Atal Bihari Vajpayee's last rites; dignitaries that paid tribute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the various political leaders that turned up on Friday for the last rites of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, BJP President Amit Shah, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan were among the dignitaries that paid last tribute to Vajpayee. Mortal remains of Vajpayee were taken from All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to his residence on Thursday for the general public and the VIPs so that they can pay their last respect to the departed soul. Draped in tricolor, his mortal remains were later taken to the BJP headquarters where PM Narendra Modi and all top leaders of the country received them. The final journey of the poet-politician from the BJP head office culminated at Smriti Sthal on Friday. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)

As a mark of respect to the departed leader, the BJP-led central government has declared a 7-day state mourning across the country. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all offices and institutions throughout the country. All the government offices will be functional only for half day on Friday.  Leaders from across the political spectrum paid rich tributes to Vajpayee on Thursday. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, union ministers and chief ministers recalled Vajpayee as a great statesman, orator and leader who believed in developing consensus on all major national issues. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)

Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba paid tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains at Smriti Sthal. The veteran leader died after a prolonged illness on Thursday evening. He breathed his last at 5.05 PM at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter) 

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan paying tribute to mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was also present at Smriti Sthal to pay her tribute to the former prime minister. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)

Sri Lanka's acting foreign minister Lakshman Kiriella was present at Smriti Sthal. He paid his tribute to the former prime minister. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)

President Ram Nath Kovind was seen paying tribute to Vajpayee. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)

Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai came to New Delhi on Friday and offered condolences to the departed soul. He was among the foreign dignitaries that attended Vajpayee's funeral. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)

Air Cheif Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa was present during Vajpayee's funeral. He was seen paying tribute to the departed soul. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)

Army Cheif General Bipin Rawat can be seen paying tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)

Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck pays last respects to the former prime minister. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)

Atal Bihari Vajpayee's close aide and veteran BJP leader L K Advani was present at Smriti Sthal. He paid his last respect to his close friend. (Image Courtesy: ANI/Twitter)