Record-setting farewell for Zubeen Garg as Assam mourns music icon

The funeral of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, who passed away on September 19, 2025, in Singapore during a swimming-related medical emergency, has been officially recognized by the Limca Book of Records as the fourth-largest public gathering globally, according to multiple reports. Tens of thousands of fans gathered in Guwahati and surrounding areas to pay their last respects.

Garg’s last rites were carried out on Sep 23 in Kamarkuchi NC village, near Guwahati, with full state honours, and Assam Police accorded a 21-gun salute. His sister, Palmi Borthakur, performed the cremation rites.

Prior to the cremation, his body lay in state at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex in Guwahati, where fans queued through the night to catch a final glimpse. The funeral procession was scheduled to start at around 10 am, moving to the cremation site in Sonapur via the highway to avoid city traffic.

Authorities confirmed a second post-mortem was conducted at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, following demands from the public. This was in addition to the initial autopsy done in Singapore.

The scale of public turnout was such that daily life in parts of Guwahati was significantly disrupted as roads were packed, and traffic was halted in many areas with a sea of mourners.

Many fans carried ‘gamosa’ draped transparent glass casket, traditional in Assamese culture, and emotional scenes were reported throughout the ceremonies.

The Limca Book of Records recognition places Garg’s funeral among global physical gatherings in history, alongside well-known major public farewells. It affirmatively records his final public journey as fourth-largest of its kind.

In Assam, a three-day state mourning was declared, official entertainment events have been put on hold, and the government committed to preserving the singer’s legacy.