Zubeen finds a special place at the heart of Pujas in Guwahati

Guwahati: This year, Durga Puja in Assam feels less like a celebration and more like a solemn ritual. The usual sparkle of lights, laughter, and cultural fervour has dimmed under the heavy shadow of grief as the state is still mourning the loss of its beloved son, Zubeen Garg.

Across pandals, towering standees and heartfelt banners of Zubeen stand like sentinels of memory. His music, once the heartbeat of Puja nights, now plays on loop — not to energise, but to console. Loudspeakers carry his melodies like whispers of remembrance, weaving nostalgia into the air. In every puja pandal, a special corner is there where a photograph of Zubeen is placed for the public to pay tribute.



It was Saptami on Monday. However, the usual crowd was not seen at the pandals, and no puja rush traffic was seen on the streets of Guwahati. People went to the pandals, lit diyas (earthen lamps), and offered prayers, which included ‘justice to Zubeen’.

Kailash Sarma of Latasil said Zubeen was not a mere singer. “His contributions clearly speak of what he was. Police have been investigating the case. Zubeen must get justice. We have also paid tribute to him at the puja pandal here,” he added.

Sikha Sarma, a devotee at the Chandmari Colony puja pandal, said her prayer included justice for Zubeen. “Maa Durga will definitely punish whoever was involved in the alleged murder of Zubeen. Nobody will be able to escape punishment,” she added.

The Geetanagar puja committee erected their pandal as a replica of the Wat Arun temple of Thailand to attract the devotees as they are celebrating their golden jubilee year. The committee said they have constantly played Zubeen’s hit songs on the premises as a mark of respect.