Varanasi pulsed with spiritual fervor on Rangbhari Ekadashi, as Harishchandra Ghat became the epicenter of Masaan Holi. Devotees ditched synthetic colors for the pure ash of burning pyres, turning a solemn cremation ground into a vibrant festival site.
Echoes of damru beats and fervent chants filled the air, drawing massive crowds to witness this rare spectacle. Pilgrims climbed atop smoldering wood stacks to gather vibhuti, then playfully applied it to friends and strangers alike, forging bonds in Shiva’s name.
‘We’ve come from afar just for this,’ said a visitor from the capital. ‘Manikarnika’s Holi is unmatched— it brings you closer to Bholenath than any temple darshan.’ Tradition holds that Shiva initiated this rite, inviting his followers to immerse in the colors of transcendence.
The previous day’s Panchakoshi parikrama had set the stage, with invitations extended to every shrine. Now, as Mother’s procession graced the ghats, the city embraced its dual identity: a place of endings and eternal beginnings.
In modern times, what was once reserved for ascetics now welcomes all. This ash-smeared revelry challenges conventional festivities, urging participants to confront mortality head-on. Varanasi’s Masaan Holi endures as a beacon of unwavering faith amid the flames.