Popular singer Zubeen Garg, who won hearts across the country with songs like Ya Ali, passed away in a tragic scuba diving accident in Singapore on September 19. He was 52. The singer began the final journey home in Kahilipara from Guwahati airport on Sunday morning, with thousands of mourners pouring onto the streets to have a last glimpse of their favourite artiste.
Thousands gather at Zubeen Garg’s last rites
The convoy crawled through a sea of humanity in an emotionally charged atmosphere with people from all walks of life and ages lining the streets and showering flowers on the ambulance carrying the mortal remains of the iconic singer. It may take hours to cover the 25-km distance from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport to his Kahilipara residence.
As the flight carrying his body landed from Delhi, the casket was first taken out from the luggage section of the aircraft and kept near the runway, where his wife, Garima Saikia Garg, offered floral tributes and placed an Assamese `gamosa` on the coffin.
Zubeen Garg’s wife breaks down
Garima broke down on seeing the casket and hugged it. The coffin was later placed inside the flower-decked ambulance with people who had gathered near the runaway, including airport staffers and passengers who came in the same flight, breaking down in tears. Garima accompanied his body in the ambulance, which moved out of the airport through the VIP exit. Besides his wife, senior state government officials were at the airport to receive the body.
Thousands of fans were heard singing his songs and shouting `Jai Zubeen da` as the convoy navigated slowly through the crowd outside the airport. Wailing, `Why Zubeen da, why did you have to leave us so soon`, they were seen holding cut-outs of the singer and the traditional Assamese `gamosa` with the words `Z G (Zubeen Garg) Forever` woven in it.
At Guwahati Airport, Zubeen Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, paid her final tribute.
Millions of people wait along the highway. Such a heroic farewell is rare in the world.#Zubeen_Garg pic.twitter.com/4qZlEFl9jb
— Nandan Pratim Sharma Bordoloi (@NANDANPRATIM) September 21, 2025
About Zubeen Garg’s last rites
The singer`s favourite vehicle, an open jeep, which he often used to travel to venues where he performed, was also a part of the convoy with his huge portrait positioned in the front. His team of musicians was in the vehicle. The fans were also seen holding their mobile phones aloft to capture their icon`s last journey home.
People have reached Guwahati from across the state to pay their last respects to their favourite Garg`s mortal remains will be kept at his Kahilipara residence for about one-and-a-half hours for his family members, including his 85-year-old ailing father, to pay their last respects. Later, his body will be taken to the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex for people to pay their homage from 9 am to 7 pm.
Details of the last rites are yet to be finalised. The Assam Cabinet will meet on Sunday evening to decide on the cremation venue. Ahead of last rites, his wife was seen making an emotional appeal asking for peace during her late husband`s final journey.
(With inputs from PTI)
