Wailing in grief, Jayalalithaa supporters, men and women, tonsure heads

The profound grief continues on the streets of Chennai for the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. As a mark of respect for the departed leader “Amma”, thousands were seen getting their head tonsured. (PTI)

The profound grief continues on the streets of Chennai for the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. As a mark of respect for the departed leader “Amma”, thousands were seen getting their head tonsured. People thronged the sidewalks surrounding Marina Beach and had their hair shaved off, early in the morning in their grief and to pay respect to their dear departed leader. Both men and women came forward in the ritual, as the religious texts clarify on the act explaining that hair is a symbolic offering to the gods, representing a real sacrifice of beauty and thereby, one’s vanity. The act shows humility in the wake of the departed soul.

Chennai: A Woman gets her head tonsured as a mark of respect for #Jayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/oc0mpQW8kF

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016

Greatness of the iconic leader and actress ruled the people’s heart. The death of charasmatic politician is mourned by the entire nation. Jayalalithaa, who passed away on December 5 after a prolonged struggle with ill health at the Apollo Hispital in Chennai was one of India’s most charismatic and popular leaders.

#WATCH: People getting their heads tonsured as a mark of respect for #Jayalalithaa, visuals from Marina Beach (Chennai) pic.twitter.com/IQT18ZEinR

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016

People at Marina Beach(Chennai) getting their heads tonsured as a mark of respect for #Jayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/rpyFqBy7W5

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016

Marina Beach(Chennai): People getting their heads tonsured as a mark of respect for #Jayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/S02EhVuiN5

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and various other top leaders condoled Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s demise and paid glowing tributes to her. Prime Minister Modi condoled the death of Amma by saying that, Jayalalithaa’s demise has left a huge void in Indian politics. “I am deeply shocked and grieved to hear about the sad demise of Selvi J Jayalalithaa, the charismatic leader and the people’s Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,” Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao said.