Guwahati: Barak Valley’s Durga Puja celebrations in Assam came to a somber close on Thursday, as grief and heavy rains cast a shadow over the grand finale.
The sudden passing of cultural icon Zubeen Garg in Singapore on September 19 deeply affected the mood, turning what is usually a vibrant farewell into a heartfelt tribute.
While Mahashtami morning began with bright skies and devotional fervor, the weather took a dramatic turn by evening.
Violent storms hit Silchar, uprooting pandals, plunging neighborhoods into darkness, and flooding several parts of the town.
In Tarapur, a massive decorative light gate collapsed, damaging an auto-rickshaw, while waterlogged streets and power cuts disrupted festivities across the city.
Despite the adverse weather, devotees continued to visit pandals, holding umbrellas as they joined late-night processions during the storm-lashed Mahanavami.
Puja organizers this year chose reverence over revelry. Many barowari committees canceled planned cultural programs, instead dedicating their celebrations to Zubeen Garg’s memory.
His soulful songs, particularly the iconic Mayabini, echoed across pandals, eateries, and loudspeakers—blending seamlessly with chants and hymns to create a poignant atmosphere.
Even as the storm tested the Valley’s resilience, creativity and devotion stood strong. Udharbond’s Kali Bari Road Puja captivated visitors with a Disneyland-inspired theme.
The Hospital Road Puja recreated the grandeur of Vrindavan’s Chandrodaya Temple and Tirupati’s Balaji shrine.
In Silchar, Mitali Sangha’s Eiffel Tower-themed pandal and Dakshin Bilpar’s vibrant display drew massive crowds. The 47-year-old Kali Mohan Road Puja depicted Badrinath’s sacred landscape.
Continuing a six-decade-old tradition, the Cachar District Administration hosted Puja celebrations within the District Court complex.
Deputy Commissioner Mridul Yadav led the sankalpa rituals and extended Sharodiya greetings, wishing peace and prosperity to the people of Cachar.
Security remained tight, with police personnel deployed at key locations. Anti-Romeo Squads patrolled pandal areas to ensure public safety during the festivities.
Barak Valley’s 2025 Durga Puja emerged as a moving blend of devotion, remembrance, and resilience, celebrated under stormy skies, yet carried forward with undiminished spirit, echoing the music of a beloved artist who left too soon.