Mortal remains of Gayatri Devi consigned to flames

The mortal remains of the former rajmata of Jaipur, Gayatri Devi, who died here on Wednesday, were consigned to the flames last evening at Maharani ki Chhatri, the royal cremation ground.

Brigadier Bhawani Singh and Jai Singh, stepsons of the ex-queen, lit the pyre.

The 90-year-old former queen of Jaipur was given a gun salute by a platoon of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary, which also reversed its rifles as a mark of respect.

A floral wreath was also sent on behalf of chief of army staff general Deepak Kapoor.

Among those present at the funeral were governor SK Singh, chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Vidhan Sabha speaker Deepender Singh, former Jodhpur ruler Gaj Singh, Jaipur MP Mahesh Joshi, state cabinet ministers, and a few MPs.

Earlier in the day, thousands of people paid floral tributes to the late Gayatri Devi at the city palace.

The charismatic Jaipur royal, a three-time MP, who was once named among the world's 10 most beautiful women by international fashion magazine Vogue, died here on Wednesday following a prolonged illness.

Gayatri Devi, who became an extremely successful politician, breathed her last at the Santokben Durlabh Memorial Hospital where she was readmitted for a chest infection after she was discharged a few days ago.