Thursday, November 10 2005 14:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kottayam: Special prayers were held at the native village of K R Narayanan in Uzhavoor near here and at adjacent Santigiri Ashram today (Nov 10, 2005).

People from all walks of life participated in the prayers.

All shops and business establishments in the area remained closed as a mark of respect to the departed soul and people took out a silent march to the ancestral home of the former President here.

Condolence meetings were also held in several parts of the district.

Narayanan's younger brother K R Bhaskaran and elder sister K R Gouri are not participating in the cremation at New Delhi this evening due to their illness and old age.

The ashes will be brought to Uzhavoor after cremation, family sources said.