In some parts of India Holi is celebrated with ashes, not with colors. In Uttar Pradesh “Masan Holi” is played in the holy city of Varanasi. Banaras also known as Varanasi or Kashi is the city of lord shiva, one of the oldest cities in India which is located on the left bank of the Ganga. 

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Masan Holi

After a day Rang Bhari Ekadashi, the lord shiv believers of Varanasi are all joyful as they follow different and unique traditions of Masan or Bhasma Holi. Keeping the oldest cultures with themselves the lord shiv believers play Masan or Bhasma Holi using pyre ashes in the Manikarnika ghat in Varanasi. This is the oldest tradition of celebrating death in the hope of achieving “Moksha”.

Masan Holi is the center of attraction in the city of Banaras. A large number of people gather in ghats to perform this age-old playing Holi with ashes from the pyres, creating a typical and memorable experience. Before playing Holi with ashes the believers pray to Mahashamshan Nath or Baba Masan Nath the lord who created the ground. The mid-day aarti of Baba Mahashamshan Nath and Mata Mashan Kali is performed in ghats, followed by the presentation of pyre ashes and Gulal to Baba and Mata. People offer liquor to Baba Masan Nath. Following that, Holi starts with Chinta Bhasma.

According to belief, baba Vishwanath visited Manikarnika Ghat for taking a bath in the afternoon of Holi. The Holi pleasure seeker can be seen influencing and dancing to the tune of bhajans, while Damru and chants of Bhole can be heard in the background. According to people, this festival is attended by gods, goddesses, yakshas, Gandharva, and humans. The believers paint themselves and wear dresses like gods and goddesses.

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History behind Masan Holi

According to mythology, this custom represents lord shiva’s acceptance and love for all beings, visible and invisible. The people of Kashi believe that on the day of Rang Bhari Ekadashi, Baba Vishwanath brings Mata Parvati to his home, Kashi, after performing her farewell which is celebrated as a festival. Few people believe that after the marriage of lord Shiva and goddess Parvati celebrated Holi with other gods and goddesses on Rang Bhari Ekadashi.

However, because lord shiva's dearest supernatural beings, such as ghosts and vampires, didn’t appear during the festival, he comes to Masan ghat to play Holi with pyre ashes with them.

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