Varanasi,

27 Feb (HS): On Friday, on Rangbhari Ekadashi, the excitement of the marriage

of the Lord of Kashi, Shiva, was clearly visible on the faces of Shiva devotees

at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Indigo powder, gulal (blue colour), prasad

(sweet prasad), fruits, and dry fruits brought by the Sri Krishna Janmasthan

Seva Sansthan (Seva Sansthan) in Mathura, were offered to the sacred

Jyotirlinga located in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. A flood of Shiva

devotees gathered for the midday Bhog Aarti to witness this Holi-like form of

Baba.

Amid

the thunderous chants of Har Har Mahadev in the court, devotees

visited Baba's sacred Jyotirlinga and sought symbolic permission to play Holi

from him. During Mahadev's marriage ceremony, the children of Braj, the Gopals

and Gopis, were seen ready to play Holi with flowers and perform the Raas dance

in Baba's courtyard. In the evening, Raas and Phool

Holi will be performed on the Shivaarchana Manch in the Dham

complex.

According

to Dr. Vishwabhushan, the temple's Chief Executive Officer, after his marriage

on Mahashivratri, Baba returns to the Dham for Gauri's Gauna on Rangbhari

Ekadashi. Kashi residents apply gulal (coloured powder) to Baba's forehead and

offer abir (vermilion powder) at the feet of Goddess Parvati, seeking permission

to play Holi. Holi in Kashi begins on Rangbhari Ekadashi. Cultural and gift

exchanges were held between Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Shri Krishna

Janmasthan on the occasion of Rangbhari Ekadashi. He explained that

arrangements for Rangbhari Ekadashi have been significantly strengthened this

year. He explained that in the evening, in accordance with folk customs and

cultural classical traditions, the movable idol of the Shiva family will be

placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, where the Saptarishi Aarti and

other rituals will be performed. The cultural program will continue until 10:00

pm.

The

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Trust has also arranged for Thandai (sweets) and light

refreshments for the devotees. He informed that on the occasion of Mahashivratri,

the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, Varanasi, launched a new spiritual

initiative. Under this initiative, the tradition of offering sacred offerings,

venerated clothes, dust, holy water, and devotional gifts from major

Jyotirlingas, Siddhapeethas, Shaktipeethas, and ancient pilgrimage sites from

India and abroad at the feet of Lord Shri Vishweshwar Mahadev has been

initiated. Gifts were also sent from the Shri Baba Vishwanath Dham. The purpose

of this spiritual coordination is to unite the entire Sanatan society,

embodying the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and strengthening

global spiritual unity. On Mahashivratri, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham received

sacred offerings from more than 63 temples from India and abroad.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi