Priyanka Tiwari
Share
Kashi wala Holi 2025: In Kashi or Banaras, Holi is played with colors as well as with the ashes of the pyres at the crematorium. It is called Masaan ki Holi. This year Masaan Holi will be played on 26 march, 2025. In Banaras the Holi celebrations begin with Rangbhari Ekadashi. After coloring and gulal Holi on Rangbhari, comes the day where Masaan ki Holi is played on the Dwadashi day.
Holi celebration in the crematories
Sadhu, saints and devotees of Shiva indulge in the Masaan ki Holi- that is, Holi with the ashes of a pyre cum cremation at the Kashi Manikarnika Ghat. This Holi of Kashi is made to Lord Shiva. Here sadhu and aghoris paint themselves with the ashes of pyre Holi done with Baba Vishwanath at Manikarnika Ghat. Holi of Masaan ki will be celebrated in Banaras on March 26, 2025. Recently Maha Kumbh was celebrated and this year, Kashi will be graced with Naga Sadhus vying to join the Holi of Masaan.
...that is the reason Holi is celebrated with the ashes of the pyre.
This is the day where devotees of Shiva took the opportunity to hail him with pyrotechnic colors. So it is called Rangbhari Ekadashi. Legend has it that the day Rangbhari Ekadashi comes, Shiva is seen dancing to the rhythm of colors throughout the lands with all of his followers - except for the ghosts, yakshas, wretches, and spirits. The day after, he danced with all his colorful followers along with his ghostly companions using the ashes from the pyre. This dates the origins of celebrating Holi in Masana or the cremation grounds.
From my understanding, Masana ki Holi is a memorial that celebrates the act of perishing. Upon the conclusion of the joyous event, one is said to receive eternal bliss. Each year Sadhus and Sadhvis may be found at Masana playing with the fires at pyres turned into a playful festive.
Read More: Mangal Gochar 2025: Effects of Mars Transit on Different Zodiac Signs
