Varanasi, 28 Feb

(HS): In the

religious city of Varanasi (Kashi), Uttar Pradesh, the traditional Holi of pyre

ashes was celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm amidst blazing pyres at the

Manikarnika Ghat, the holy place of Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday, the day after

Rangbhari Ekadashi. Thousands of Kashi residents participated in the

celebration by offering pyre ashes, abir, and gulal to the idol of Baba

Mahashmashannath amidst chants of Har Har Mahadev and the sound of

huge drums. Youths danced collectively among the burning pyres for a long time

to the tune of the song Khelen Masane Mein Hori Digambar.

The Mahashmashan Ghat, a

vibrant example of Kashi's tradition of accepting death as a celebration, was

on display. Earlier, Aghoras, Aghoris, sadhus, saints, Shiva devotees, local

citizens, and a large number of domestic and foreign tourists flocked to the

ghat to participate in the Holi of pyre ashes. Due to the ongoing construction

work, space for devotees was limited. On one side was a line of bodies waiting

to be cremated, and on the other, a crowd of young men chanted Har Har

Mahadev.

According to Kashi's

belief, Baba Vishwanath's followers—ghosts, witches, demons, and aghoris—are

unable to participate in the Gauna festival at the request of their in-laws. In

such circumstances, Mahadev does not disappoint his followers and plays Holi

with them with pyre ashes on Manikarnika, the day after Gauna. In keeping with

this ancient tradition, this unique event is held on the day after Rangbhari

Ekadashi. Prior to the Holi of pyre ashes, a formal midday aarti was performed

at the Baba Mahamashaneshwar Mahadev Temple at Manikarnika Ghat, under the

supervision of administrators Gulshan Kapoor and Chainu Prasad. After the

aarti, officials from the organizing committee and a group of young men joined

in the Holi of pyre ashes, chanting Har Har Mahadev to the beat of

damru and nagadas.

A large number of tourists remained at the ghat to capture this unique

confluence of love and detachment on camera. Dr. Mridul Mishra and Shiv devotee

Sanjay Pandey, associated with the Shiv Aaradhana Samiti, said that in Kashi,

the importance of temple, shrine and Mahasmshan is considered equal. Here,

Mahadev grants salvation to the living beings by giving the Tarak Mantra, and

in the same spirit, Holi of ashes is played. Amidst the tradition of accepting

life and death with equanimity in Kashi, this Holi of pyre ashes is a symbol of

faith, spirituality and unique cultural heritage. This festival begins by

offering the ashes of the pyre to Mahasmshannath with the sound of the drum

everywhere at the Mahasmshan Ghat, which introduces us to the eternal truth of

life.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi