Several dignitaries, including former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Union Minister and Punjab BJP president Vijay Sampla, SAD president Sukhbir Badal and former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, were among thousands who joined Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder and his family on Sunday in offering antim ardas to his mother Rajmata Mohinder Kaur, who passed away on the previous Monday after prolonged illness.

The New Moti Bagh palace, official residence of Patiala Royal family, reverberated with hymns and prayers as thousands of people gathered to pray for the departed soul at the bhog ceremony of Rajmata Mohinder Kaur.

Other notable personalities who attended the ceremony included the leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MlA Sukhpal Singh Khaira.

Religious leaders, Ministers of the Punjab cabinet, Congress MlAs and workers, senior administrative and police officials and ordinary citizens from all walks of life also participated in the ceremony to bid the final adieu to the last designated Queen of Patiala.

The religious leaders led the ceremony, marked by a kirtan, in the memory of the Rajmata — an eminent personality in her own right, having been a former MP and an active philanthropist till virtually the last days of her life.

With Rajmata’s demise, an era has come to an end, said the members of the erstwhile royal family of Patiala at the ceremony.

Recalling her work she had done for various sections of the society, family and friends of Rajmata described her as an iconic personality whose contribution to the upliftment of the underprivileged would always remain etched in memory.

Many recalled her immense contribution to the welfare of refugee girls following the tragic partition of the country, saying that it was her charisma and humanitarian approach that had led then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to entrust her with this important and delicate task.

Azad, the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, described Rajmata as a multi-faceted personality, who led an active political life as a Rajya Sabha and lok Sabha member. Her exemplary contribution to the empowerment of women and in providing succour to the poverty-stricken sections of the society was a source of inspiration to leaders of the modern times, he said.

As a person who loved people, Rajmata gave more importance to public concerns than to material gains, said Azad, who also conveyed to Capt Amarinder and his family the condolences of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

Paying tributes to Rajmata, Sukhbir Badal said she was a noble soul, and recalled her missionary zeal in serving every section of the society, especially the poorest of the poor, with firm commitment, devotion and dedication.

Khaira said the loss of a mother was an irreplaceable loss as no other human being could replace this relationship.

Sampla, while conveying the condolences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah, said Rajmata was a pious soul and a great social reformer, who was far ahead of her time. The lady invoked and inspired rich values in public life, he added.

Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar paid rich homage to the Rajmata, describing her as an ideal mother and a great personality who spend her entire life in the welfare of the people.

He recalled her outstanding efforts to ensure the safe and secure rehabilitation of the families that migrated from Pakistan. Her personality, he said, was a perfect blend of Rajmata and lokmata and she was highly sensitive to the problems of the common man despite hailing from a royal family.

Expressing gratitude to the people for sharing their heartfelt condolences, Capt Amarinder described Rajmata’s demise as not only a personal loss to the family but also to the region and its people, with whom his mother shared emotional ties, having played a pro-active role in the rehabilitation of the displaced families in post partition era.

Her passion to impart quality education to children would always be remembered by one and all, he added.

Rajmata Mohinder Kaur, with her progressive outlook, was committed to women empowerment, besides helping the needy and poor with her philanthropic and social activities, said Capt Amarinder.

Born in 1922 at ludhiana during erstwhile undivided Punjab, Mohinder Kaur, the wife of late Maharaja Patiala Yadavindra Singh, left for heavenly abode on July 24 after prolonged illness.

Rajmata Mohinder Kaur served as Member of Rajya Sabha from 1964-67 and was subsequently elected to the lok Sabha from Patiala Parliamentary constituency in 1967. She was highly revered and respected as a motherly figure by the people of Patiala till her last breath.