Indian election: Narendra Modi in Delhi victory parade

The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder: "Mr Modi said he was humbled at the outpouring of support"

India's Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi has received a hero's welcome at his BJP party's headquarters in Delhi after securing the most decisive election victory in three decades.

He was cheered by supporters after a victory parade from the airport.

Manmohan Singh, whose Congress party was crushed in the poll, has tendered his resignation as prime minister.

Mr Modi, a Hindu nationalist and chief minister of Gujarat, campaigned on promises to revive the economy.

Results show the BJP gained a majority in parliament and will be able to govern without coalition partners.

However, many Indians still have profound concerns over Mr Modi because of claims he did little to stop communal riots in Gujarat in 2002 in which at least 1,000 people died, most of them Muslims.

Mr Modi has always denied the allegations and was never charged.

'India has won'

After arriving in Delhi from his home state of Gujarat, Mr Modi was greeted by flag-waving supporters. He stepped out of his car, flashing a victory sign.

A brass band, drummers and bagpipers met him at the BJP headquarters, while bunting and balloons decorated the street.

Noticeably tight security is in place, the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi reports.

With votes still being counted, the BJP has won more than the 272 seats needed for a parliamentary majority.

With its allies, the party could get more than 330 seats out of 543.

Speaking at the BJP headquarters, Mr Modi said: "I want to bow, I want to give my thanks... to the people of India."

He said Indian media had created "consciousness among voters" and a "great festival of Indian democracy".

Mr Modi later went on to Hindu holy city of Varanasi, in the north, for a ceremony by the river Ganges.

Narendra Modi was mobbed by supporters after he arrived in Delhi

Supporters cheered as Mr Modi's car drove by on its way to the BJP headquarters

Security was tight with police and special forces personnel lining Mr Modi's route

On Friday, Mr Modi wrote in a widely-shared tweet: "India has won, good days are about to come."

He also told supporters he would rule for all Indians.

"The age of divisive politics has ended - from today onwards the politics of uniting people will begin."

World leaders, including US President Barack Obama and UK Prime Minister David Cameron, have congratulated Mr Modi on his victory.

India's new leader has received invitations to Washington and London. Previously, the US denied him visas and the UK cut off all ties with him following the 2002 riots.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif commended the BJP's "impressive victory" in the election.

Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi: "I respect the verdict of the people"

The Congress party, which has dominated Indian politics since independence, is only expected to win 44 seats.

Congress has been mired in serious corruption scandals and its leadership has been considered ineffective in recent years, analysts say.

Accepting defeat, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said: "We humbly respect the verdict of the people."

Manmohan Singh met the president to hand in his resignation.

In a televised farewell address earlier on Saturday, Manmohan Singh said the government had achieved a lot in the last 10 years. "I wish the incoming government every success," he said.

The BBC's Andrew North travelled to Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat

India election

• World's biggest exercise in electoral democracy; 814 million eligible voters
• A total of 8,251 candidates stood for election
• It started five weeks ago and a total of 551 million votes were cast, with a record 66.38% turnout
• The party or alliance that wins a majority in the 543-seat parliament forms the government