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Celebrating Holi with the dead: Masan Holi with ashes is a spiritual experience. Varanasi. Holi, a joyous and chromatic festival, is welcomed with much zeal and ardor throughout India.
Manikarnika Ghat
The Masan Holi tradition is deeply rooted in the religious beliefs of the people of Varanasi. According to legend, on the day of Rangbhari Ekadashi, Lord Shiva took his wife Parvati to his abode after their marriage. Bhole Baba performed Holi with all the deities, but his Ganas, ghosts, vampires, night creatures and invisible forces could not join the festivities. In such a situation, Lord Shiva himself came to the Masan Ghat to play Holi with his devotees using the ashes from the pyre.
The celebration of Masan Holi is not limited to just the locals but devotees from all over the country and even abroad come to witness this unique spiritual celebration. The atmosphere is filled with the sound of drums, the singing of hymns and the fragrance of flowers. People play Holi with each other irrespective of their caste, creed and religion and the atmosphere is full of love, happiness and joy.
The Baba Masan Nath temple located at Manikarnika Ghat is the epicenter of Masan Holi celebrations. Devotees visit the temple to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva and the priests perform the rituals with great devotion and reverence. The temple is decorated with flowers and the sound of the damru (a small drum-like instrument) fills the air. Once the prayers are over, devotees anoint each other with the ashes from the pyre, which is believed to be a sign of purification and liberation.
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