Astrophysicist Dr Jayant Narlikar passed away on Tuesday at the age of 86

On Wednesday, his body was kept at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), the institution he founded, for citizens to pay their respects

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met with Narlikar's family and offered his condolences. The astrophysicist is survived by three daughters

In 2004, Dr Narlikar was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his contribution to science 

Students, teachers, researchers from IUCAA, neighbouring National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Savitribai Phule Pune University and other institutions and people from various walks of life including theatre, literature and arts paid their last respects to the eminent scientist

Internationally renowned for his contributions to cosmology, Dr Narlikar, who was also the founder of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), co-developed the Hoyle-Narlikar theory of gravity and advocated alternative models to the Big Bang theory. His work challenged conventional thinking and expanded the frontiers of astrophysics. His last rites will be performed later in the day at Vaikunth Crematorium