Manekshaw buried beside his wife's grave

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who died at Wellington Military Hospital, is buried beside the grave of his wife Siloo Bode in Udhagamandalam as per his wish.

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who died at Wellington Military Hospital, was buried on Friday beside the grave of his wife Siloo Bode in Udhagamandalam as per his wish.

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Siloo was buried some at the same graveyard seven years ago.

The last rites of India's most decorated soldier was a private affair with only close relatives and members of Parsi community in attedance.

Though there was a tradition of keeping the body in the open and allowing the vultures to feed as per Parsi tradition, Manekshaw's body was buried.

A mass was held in the graveyard where family members paid floral tributes to the departed soul. The rites lasted about an hour.

Hundreds of people were atop buildings and trees adjacent to the graveyard to watch the religious rites being performed. Security was tight in and around the graveyard with police and army officials controlling the public and the traffic.

Police requested the media, both electronic and print, not to take photos standing atop buildings as the "family members were objecting to playing with their religious sentiments."