Varanasi: Holi, the festival of colours, is around the corner, and people are ready to celebrate it in their own traditions. Among all, Varanasi’s Masan Holi is quite famous in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile a video of people celebrating Masan Holi is going viral on social media. In the video, people can be seen playing with ashes at Manikarnika Ghat.
Masan Holi is celebrated on the famous Manikarnika ghat with ashes from the pyre. The ghat has long been known for performing last rites. It is also said about the ghat that dead bodies are burned on it at any time of day and have never gone cold.
Glimpses of Masan Holi celebration in #Varanasi on Friday.#MasanHoli2023#Holi#Holivibes pic.twitter.com/Ibb4xc6Zhl
— Vishal Yadav (@vishal_yadav624) March 3, 2023
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Thousands of people can be seen in the video flocking to the ghats and dancing to the beats of a song. Some people are coloured, and their dance becomes more energetic as the tempo of the music increases. However, one cannot easily spot people covered in ashes as tradition narrates.
History of Masan Holi
Lord Shiva is said to treasure ‘Bhasma,’ or ash. On the second day of Rangbharni Ekadashi, Lord Shiva and all his ‘ganas’ (his troop comprised of Nandi Bael and others) are said to visit Manikarnika Ghat to bless the devotees and play Holi with Bhasma in the form of Gulal Swarup.
People believe that on Rangbharni Ekadashi, Lord Shiva returned to his abode after marrying Mother Parvati, and they played Holi with all the other gods and goddesses. Lord Shiva’s beloved ghosts, vampires, nocturnal creatures, and invisible powers were not included in this celebration, so Lord Shiva returned to Masan Ghat the following day to play Holi with them.
