Guwahati, Assam – Durga Puja festivities in Assam took on a somber tone this year as the state grapples with the loss of beloved singer Zubeen Garg. The cultural icon, often hailed as Assam’s most loved son, tragically drowned at Lazarus Island in Singapore on September 19. Even 12 days later, grief hangs heavy, muting the usual vibrant celebrations of color, music, and crowds.
On Maha Ashtami, Guwahati’s puja pandals stayed unusually quiet. Normally alive with flashing lights and the rhythmic beat of dhaks, they drew only a few devotees this time. Streets looked empty compared to past years, with people staying home to mourn rather than join the festivities. The subdued mood stretched from Guwahati all the way to Jorhat, Assam’s cultural hub.
A Shradha ceremony for the late Zubeen Garg is set for Wednesday in Jorhat, where his family will lead the rituals. Fans and locals shared their heartache at the pandals. Prabin, a bus handyman in Guwahati, told , “I’m devastated by Zubeen Da’s sudden death. I came to pray to Maa Durga not for myself, but for his soul to find peace.”
Young fan Nibir added a call for justice: “I prayed for those responsible for Goldie’s death to face the harshest punishment.” Many devotees mixed their worship with sorrow, turning the festival into a tribute to the singer.
At Kamarkuchi village near Sonapur, where Zubeen Garg’s cremation happened on September 23, crowds of fans keep arriving. They leave flowers, shed tears, and sing his iconic hit “Mayabini” – a song he once asked admirers to perform after his passing. It’s now an anthem of mourning across Assam. College student Pranita from Sonapur said, “This cremation spot has turned into a samadhi, a memorial. Even after 12 days, fans flock here to pay their respects to Zubeen Da.”
Thousands gathered Monday at his Kahilipara home in Guwahati for the hraddha ceremony. They offered condolences to his wife Garima Saikia Garg, father Mohini Mohan Borthakur, sister Palmee Borthakur, and other relatives. Portraits of the singer popped up in puja pandals citywide, and roadside events honored his memory.
In Jorhat, where Zubeen Garg grew up, pandals feature his images beside glowing earthen lamps. Big hoardings line the streets, and organizers prepare for a public ritual on October 1 at Jorhat Stadium. Plans call for carrying his ashes urn to Jorhat, other Assam spots, New Delhi, Kolkata, and more cities so people can say goodbye.
Assam’s outpouring of grief peaked during his funeral on September 23. Around a lakh of fans joined the massive procession from Guwahati’s Sarusajai Stadium to the Kamarkuchi cremation ground.
Meanwhile, investigations into Zubeen Garg’s death move forward. Assam Police arrested event organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta from the North East Music Festival in Singapore and the singer’s manager Siddharth Sharma. The state government formed a nine-member Special Investigation Team to dig deeper. Multiple FIRs target Sharma, bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, Mahanta, and others, holding them accountable for the tragedy.
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