A sea of humanity poured out on all roads leading to Dadar's Shivaji Park in central Mumbai where the funeral procession reached seven hours after it started from Matoshri, the Thackeray residence seven kms away.
Thackeray's personal physician Jalil Parkar was present during his last rites all throughout. It was a rare honour for this Muslim doctor who had come to be an important fixture of the Thackeray family. Parkar has been the personal physician of the family since the last four years.
Many VVIPs including businessmen, politicians and members of the Hindi and Marathi films industries marked their presence to pay their final tribute to Thackeray. Senior leaders from all regional and national political parties were present to pay their last respects to the leader popularly known as The Tiger.
Security arrangements at levels never before seen were put in place since Saturday. According to conservative estimates by the Mumbai police, over 19 lakh people, including those gathered at the Shivaji Park, bid adieu to Thackeray. Around two lakh people followed Thackeray's funeral procession.
