Kashi or Banaras, also known as Varanasi, is the unique spiritual capital of India. It is a city immersed in deeply rooted facets of Hindu beliefs and Myths. It has a number of festivals, but one of them stands out the most—Masaan Holi, a festival with an unconventional twist. Instead of the usual joyous festivities associated with colors that form the basis of traditional Holi, Masaan Holi is celebrated with ashes from funeral pyres located at both Harishchandra Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat. This particular festival embodies the principle of life conquering death, which strengthens the Hindu philosophy of life cycles of birth, death, and reincarnation. The mystifying power of this celebration draws devotees, sadhus, and other spiritual seekers, who gather to participate in this unique festival.
Mythological Origins and Legends
Masaan Holi holds its origins in Indian mythology, especially the stories surrounding Lord Shiva. As the deity of Varanasi, his links with aghoris and cremation grounds make this festival sacred and magical. There are different stories explaining the origins of Masaan Holi.
Lord Shiva and the Excluded Ganas: Legend has it that after celebrating Holi with the remaining gods on Rangbhari Ekadashi, Lord Shiva realized his ganas were not a part of the celebrations. This group of telepathic ghosts, spirits, and various supernatural beings was missing out on fun. To include them in the festivities, Shiva came down to the cremation ghats and celebrated Holi by using the ashes from the funeral pyres. By this action, he is showing his omnipresence and the fact that he welcomes all beings, whether they are dead or alive.
Shiva-Parvati Wedding and Return to Kailash: One more legend connects Masaan Holi with the wedding of Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati. As she left her mother’s house and came back to Kailash, Parvati expected to be welcomed in a festive manner by Lord Shiva. He did indeed welcomed her with lots of life, dancing and sprinkling color to all of the devotees and followers he had there with him near the cremation grounds. Instead of the expected colors, the celebrants used spears, a sign that the spirit remains eternal, while the body is temporary.
Shiva’s Victory Over Yama (God of Death): The dharmic lore surrounding Shiva and how he slays Yama, the God of Death, in order to rescue his devotee Markandeya is famous in most Hindu texts. Shiva is famous for having triumphed over death, and this is celebrated through the Masaan Holi, which celebrates life overcoming death.
What is Different About Masaan Holi?
Masaan Holi is distinctly different from all other forms of Holi celebrated in India. Other forms of Holi involve immersing oneself in the festivities through the use of music, dance, and other colors, but Masaan Holi entails the use of chita bhasma, or ashes from the funeral pyres. This further challenges the notion of life vs. mortality, and death is viewed as more than an end of life by capturing the holiday’s deeper essence: spirituality.
The core qualities of Masaan Holi distinguish it from other forms of Holi:
- Use of Bhasma: Rather than with color, masaan holi is celebrated by smearing each other with ashes to represent separation from the mortal realm.
- Involvement of Sadhus and Aghoris: The festivities are joined by aghori sadhus, who take part in the celebration with a rather unconventional approach.
- Celebration Specific Procedures: The participants are first required to pay tribute to Lord Shiva through special offerings and prayers before bhasma is used for the celebration of Holi.
- Meaning: It further supports the narrative that death is part of a divine cycle, which man should accept rather than fear.
The Celebration of Masaan Holi
Masaan Holi is celebrated after Rangbhari Ekadashi, the day believed to commemorate the return of Shiva and Parvati to Kashi after their celestial marriage. The celebration unfolds in various stages:
1. Procession of Lord Shiva and Parvati
Before the festival begins, a grand procession of Shiva and Parvati’s idols is carried through the streets of Varanasi. The devotees chant hymns, sing bhajans, and dance to the beats of traditional instruments, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
2. Rituals at Manikarnika Ghat
At Manikarnika Ghat, the most sacred cremation site in Hinduism, special rituals are performed to honor Shiva and the departed souls. Devotees gather to witness these sacred ceremonies, seeking blessings for liberation (moksha).
3. Playing with Ashes
As the main event begins, sadhus and devotees smear each other with ashes from the funeral pyres. This act is accompanied by the rhythmic beats of damarus (small two-headed drums), conch shells, and the chanting of ‘Har Har Mahadev.’
4. Aghori Practices
The Aghori sect, known for their extreme spiritual practices, actively participates in Masaan Holi. They meditate amidst the funeral pyres and perform rituals that symbolize transcendence over worldly attachments.
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Masaan Holi’s Ambiance
The atmosphere surrounding Masaan Holi is both uncanny and vivid. The energy transcends the standard celebratory spirit of Holi, adding a rustic charm to the ghats. The burning pyres, the sound of chanting, and the wild energy of the devotees create an experience that feels almost surreal. The convergence of life and death in this sacred space amplifies the festival’s deep spiritual essence.
Manikarnika Ghat: The Epicenter of Masaan Holi
The ghat is of crucial importance to Hinduism. The belief is that cremation on this ghat guarantees moksha, or the freedom of the soul from the cycle of deaths and births. It is said that the earring of goddess parvati known as manikarnika fell at the ghat which makes it one of the most highest panthas of Varanasi. The location of Masaan Holi away from the ghat illustrates the incorporation of death into the essence of life.
Rituals and Preparations for Masaan Holi
Devotees perform some rituals before celebrating Masaan Holi.
- Offering Prayers to Shiva: The devotees carry flowers, honey, and milk to Shiva temples.
- Lighting of Diyas: Oil lamps are lit up at the ghats to offer respect to ancestors and receive blessings from them.
- Chanting of Mantras: Several hymns and Shiva strotras are sung.
- Fasting and Meditation: A few sadhus fast and meditate prior to the festival in order to gain deeper spirituality.
The Significance of Masaan Holi
Masaan Holi is not merely a celebration; rather, it is an event of immense spiritual magnification. It bears monumental philosophical and religious importance:
- Life Triumphs Death: Reiterates the belief in the immortality of the soul and its ability to rise above the body.
- Shiva’s Compassion Towards All: Accentuates the inclusiveness of Lord Shiva, who is one with even the most dreaded aspects of nature.
- Contradicting Social Norms: Accepts death as a part of life in a festival, opposing the orthodox view of treating such subjects with utter respect.
- Moksha and Freedom: The participants try to attain detachment from the materialistic world as a spiritual form of liberation.
Masaan Holi 2025 Date
In 2025, Masaan Holi is going to be celebrated on the 10th of March at Harishchandra Ghat and on the 11th of March at Manikarnika Ghat. These dates coincide with the traditional Rangbhari Ekadashi festival, which is celebrated on the 11th of the Phalguna month, according to the lunar calendar.
The Masaan Holi festival, celebrated in Varanasi, endeavors to portray life, death and one’s soul intertwined in an eternal narrative. Holi is usually celebrated with color and vibrance, but this particular Holi celebration serves its devotees as an overwhelming reminder of life’s most anticipated reality and truth: its impermanent nature alongside the eternal nature of an individual’s soul. This festival helps unveil the supernatural realm of the universe’s cycle, making it extraordinary for devotees and spiritual seekers. It praises the unparalleled cultural and religious nature of Varanasi, which makes it a significant place for someone trying to witness the connection between humanity and divinity.
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