Jaipur: Royal India's iconic figure Rajmata Gayatri Devi was cremated with full state honours in Jaipur Thursday. Her funeral procession from the City Palace was conducted with the full panoply of a fairy tale ending of a figure who linked India's democratic present to its princely past.
At 3.30 pm on Thursday afternoon all roads in Jaipur seemed to lead towards the City Palace, thousands turned up for Gayatri Devi's final journey as Jaipur bid a fond and ceremonial farewell to the Queen mother who's ruled their hearts for years.
Earlier through the day former royals, politicians and celebrities turned up to pay their respects.
"She gave me her support and said do something for Jaipur," said Vasundhara Raje, former Chief Minister, Rajasthan.
"People like her were brought up in different stages of our history, so she was like living history. So, that age group and especially with Rajmata sahib passing away, it's definitely like the passing of an era," said Gaj Singh, Maharaja of Jodhpur.
While there was a tear in every eye, the saddest were the young girls for whom the Rajmata had pioneered several schools giving generations of women the courage to step out of purdah.
And as her son Jai Singh lit her funeral pyre, there was a deep silence in homage to one who symbolised all that was generous and graceful.