On the lawn at the Motwani home, white sheets had been spread out and turned into an Indian-style baithak for guests to sit on and offer a silent prayer.

Rows of chairs were filled in spite of the fact that guests were requested to stay only for 15 minutes to avoid traffic. Amongst the scores of people who attended the service were entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, hi-tech industry colleagues and Prof Motwani's students from Stanford University.

Asheem Chandan, a close family friend, said: "Hundreds of people have come to offer condolences. It just shows how dearly he was loved and respected."

The street leading to the Motwani residence, in the quiet suburb of Atherton in San Mateo County, was jammed with traffic.

The front gate of the house, however, remained open for all visitors for three hours.