Hundreds of flag-waving supporters mobbed Indian prime minister-elect Narendra Modi as he arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, smiling and flashing victory signs after his party's crushing win.

Modi flew to Delhi's main airport from his home state of Gujarat, where served as the longest running chief minister in history, to bask in the glory of a landslide victory for his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

A crowd burst through police barricades at the sight of the 63-year-old leader's cavalcade.

"Modi is our lion! He will work for the people of India, he will work for development, he will work for every Indian," shouted Om Dutt, a 39-year-old shop owner.