INDIA ELECTION,2014

India election: Narendra Modi faces Arvind Kejriwal on final vote day

Andrew North: 'Many Indians will be relieved that this process is almost at an end'

Millions of Indians are voting on the final day of India's general election, with crowds turning out in the sacred city of Varanasi, a key battleground.

Opposition BJP leader Narendra Modi is being challenged in the seat by anti-corruption campaigner Arvind Kejriwal.

Votes are also being cast in 40 other seats in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal states. The first exit polls are expected on Monday evening.

Mr Modi is ahead in all the opinion polls. Votes will be counted on 16 May.

India's marathon election began on 7 April and has been held in nine phases for security and logistical reasons.

With 814 million eligible voters, it is the world's biggest exercise in democracy and the governing Congress party is battling the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for power.

'Ballot for progress'

Varanasi has been the scene of frenzied political campaigning not seen in the ancient city in decades. The city been turned into a virtual fortress with thousands of police and paramilitaries deployed to ensure peaceful polling.

BBC Hindi's Nitin Srivastava in the city says large crowds, including many women, are turning up at polling stations, after voting began at 07:00 local time (01:30 GMT).

People are walking or taking cycle rickshaws to the booths as traffic restrictions are in place across the city, our correspondent says.

"Varanasi will finally see some change and development. I am glad to have lived for the day," Ramavati, 93, said.

One woman told the BBC that she had cast her ballot "for the person who will bring development and progress".

"The main issues are inflation, corruption and unemployment," she said.

Mr Modi is being given a spirited fight by Mr Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party, whose army of volunteers is engaged in extensive door-to-door campaigning.

There are a total of 42 candidates in the fray in the seat, including the Congress party's Ajay Rai, a local political leader.

Large crowds, including many women, have turned up at polling stations in Varanasi since early on Monday

There are a total of 42 candidates in the fray in Varanasi

Polling is taking place in West Bengal state

Correspondents say that this appears to be the most prestigious and high profile battle in the elections - top leaders from the BJP, Congress and AAP have all campaigned here for their candidates in the past weeks.

"This is a very politically conscious city. The epic battle between Mr Modi and Mr Kejriwal has pulled the city out of political oblivion," says Dr Vishwanath Pandey, who teaches at the Benares Hindu University.

The state of Uttar Pradesh, where Varanasi is located, returns more MPs than any other and is often described as India's battleground state.

Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges river, has long been neglected despite its religious significance and its infrastructure is badly in need of repair.

Both Mr Modi and Mr Kejriwal have promised to work for the city's development if elected.