Sorab (Shimoga district: The mortal remains of Shakuntala Bangarappa, wife of the former chief minister Sarekoppa Bangarappa, were consigned to flames as per Hindu customs, here on Wednesday.
Bangarappa’s younger son Madhu Bangarappa lit the funeral pyre after performing the final rites at 4:15 pm. Immediately, the elder son Kumar Bangarappa, who was also present, lit the other side of the pyre with a camphor.
Shakuntala’s three daughters – Geetha Shivarajkumar, Sujatha Tilak Kumar and Anitha Pawan; sons-in-law Shivarajkumar and Pawan Kumar, grandchildren and many others were present.
The body of Shakuntala Bangarappa, who passed away in Bangalore on Tuesday, was brought to government pre-university college ground in the town around 1.20 pm from Kubatur, the birthplace of her husband.
Thousands of people paid their last respects to the departed soul before the mortal remains were taken to Bangara Dhama, where Bangarappa was cremated, near the government pre-university college in the town.
Earlier in the day, the vehicle carrying the body of Shakuntala made brief halts at a few places, including Anavatti,Kuppagadde and Tavanandi, to enable people to offer their last respects. At many places, floral tributes were paid to the departed soul.
Shimoga Rural MLA Sharada Pooryanaik, Bhadravathi MLA M J Appaji, Solur Mutt Pontiff Ediga Renukananda Swami, Rev Fr Mark Patrick D’Silva, former MLA H M Chandrashekharaiah, film actor Balraj, District JD(S)Unit President M Srikanth were among those who paid tributes to the departed soul. Members of zilla panchayat, local leaders of various parties also paid their last respects to the departed soul and attended the last rites.
Tight security
To avoid untoward incidents during the cremation, police personnel were deployed at many places in the town.
