Andrew North: 'Many Indians will be relieved that this process is almost at an end'
Polls have closed on the final day of voting in India's marathon election, with the first exit polls predicting early gains for the opposition BJP.
Led by Narendra Modi, the BJP has dominated the campaign but analysts warn exit polls have a mixed record in India, having proved wrong in the past.
The main contest in the vote is between the ruling Congress and the BJP. Votes will be counted on 16 May.
Election Commission officials say voter turnout is a record 66.38%.
The figure beats a previous record set in 1984.
On Monday, millions voted on the final day of the election, with crowds turning out in the sacred city of Varanasi, a key battleground, where Mr Modi is being challenged by anti-corruption campaigner Arvind Kejriwal.
Voting was also held in 40 other seats in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal states.
The 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.
'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.
"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 has been 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.
Correspondents say this is the most 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.
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First stop before the polling station for some voters here was the Ganges river, for a dip in its sacred waters.
There's been a strong early turnout, with many voting early to beat the rising heat.
The battle in this holy city is now being seen as a straight fight between Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist BJP and Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party.
Mr Modi is still expected to win but many have been inspired by Mr Kejriwal's anti-establishment message and his party's determined door-to-door campaign.
After being bombarded by all the parties for weeks, it's hardly surprising that many voters were being coy in admitting who they were choosing.
But there were some signs of nervousness among BJP workers manning a stand near one polling station. At one they were telling people 'to vote for anybody, just don't waste it on the Broom' - short-hand for Mr Kejriwa
"In a city imbued with symbolism, Monday's poll battle is also deeply symbolic: a political duel between the powerful and the underdog”
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