Some of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes, kept for decades by a family friend, have been scattered off the South African coast.
The ashes were sprinkled on to the Indian Ocean in a Hindu ceremony attended by about 200 people to mark the 62nd anniversary of Gandhi’s death.
They were handed over to the family last year after the family friend died.
After Gandhi’s assassination, his body was cremated and the ashes distributed among family, friends and followers.
According to Hindu custom, ashes are scattered over a body of water shortly after cremation.
Correspondents say it is difficult to estimate how many people received a portion of Gandhi’s ashes.
“Before the immersion took place, the Hindu priest recited hymns,” an AFP news agency photographer said.
“Gandhi’s great grandson poured the ashes into the sea and afterwards people threw flowers as a sign of their final goodbyes.”
Gandhi’s 69-year-old granddaughter, Ela Gandhi, who is a respected activist in South Africa, attended the ceremony and addressed those present about the late leader’s legacy.
“I think one of the important messages of his death is the intolerance that goes on in this world, the intolerance of people for other people on the basis of religion, on the basis of race, on the basis of ethnicity, of class and of caste and so on,” she said.
“All these intolerances end up in violence, end up in wars and so on.”
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