End of an era: 'Appu' laid to rest with full state honors

Bengaluru: ‘Power Star’ Puneeth Rajkumar’s funeral was held on Sunday morning with full state honors at the Kanteerva Studios here.

Several ministers, including Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai, and former CM Siddaramaiah, who participated in the burial rites, paid their last respects.

The mortal remains had reached Kanteerava stadium before dawn on Sunday. Puneeth’s final journey began two hours ahead of schedule and concluded before sunrise.

The funeral procession was to leave the Kanteerava Stadium at 6.30 AM and reach the final place of rest at 8 AM However, the final darshan was suspended at 4 AM to reduce traffic on the road.

The funeral procession began at 5 AM with the mortal remains placed within a clear glass dome in an open hearse. The hearse left Kanteerava Stadium at 5.05 AM and reached Kanteerava Studio 40 minutes later via Hudson Circle, KG Road, Mysore Bank Circle, KR Circle, Maharani College, Chalukya Circle, Windsor Manor Hotel Circle, BDA, Guttahalli, Cauvery Junction, Bashyam Circle, Sankey Road, Malleswaram, IISC, Yashwantpur Overpass, Govardhan Theatre, Goraguntepalaya Metro Station.

The procession proceeded under tight police security.  Traffic movement was banned on the entire route.

Fans stood on both sides of Guttahalli, Malleswaram, Yashwantpur, and Tumkur Road  to witness the final journey of their beloved ‘Appu’ and bid farewell.