See Pics: Emotional Scenes As PM Modi, Amit Shah Walk With Sea Of Mourners In Vajpayee's Last Journey

It passed through some populated areas of Delhi, inclduing Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, on its way to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, a designated spot for the last rites of Presidents, Vice Presidents and Prime Ministers.

Modi and Shah walked behind the flower-decked gun carriage carrying the body of Vajpayee draped in the tricolour as security personnel kept a tight watch. AFP Photo

The mortal remains were kept in front of a large smiling picture of Vajpayee. A party flag had been placed on each side of the photograph. Photo: PTI

Earlier in morning, Modi, Shah, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Yogi Adityanath received the body near the gate of the party office. They later paid their tributes by offering flowers. PTI Photo

People had gathered outside the party office in large numbers since morning to pay their tributes. Security men had a hard time keeping the crowds in check. A woman from Darjeeling jumped the gate to get inside the party office. As the casket reached the party office, people turned emotional and some of them had tears in their eyes. PTI Photo

People from across the country, many of them teary-eyed, threw flower petals on the casket all through the three-kilometer route as an expression of their love, respect and admiration for the late leader. Photo: AFP

Tens of thousands of commoners joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah in the final journey to bid adieu to Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the former Prime Minister's body was being taken to Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of Yamuna river for the last rites. Photo: AFP

The journey began around 2 p.m. -- an hour behind schedule -- from the BJP's new central office on the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. AFP Photo

Slogans like "Atalji amar rahen", "Jab tak sooraj chand rahega, Atalji ka naam rahega", "Bharat Mata ki jai" and "Vande Mataram" rent the air as the procession progressed. Some people were carrying banners containing lines from poems written by Vajpayee.