Holi of Funeral Ashes Celebrated Amidst Burning Pyres at Moksha Tirth Manikarnika Ghat
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): The sacred land of Kashi, an eternal link between life and death, once again witnessed an awe-inspiring spectacle this year. On the day following Rangbhari Ekadashi, the Holi of funeral ashes was celebrated at Manikarnika Ghat, a ritual that not only holds deep religious significance but also offers an unparalleled experience of life and death intertwined.
At the Mahashmashan Ghat, where funeral pyres continued to blaze, thousands of devotees, including Shiva bhakts, Naga sadhus, and Aghoris, immersed themselves in the chants of “Har Har Mahadev.” Amid the rhythmic beats of massive damarus, the Holi of ashes and abir symbolized the confluence of life’s finality and its beginning. As the song “Khele Masane Mein Hori Digambar” played, devotees danced with fervor, filling the atmosphere with an inexplicable energy.
Devotees and tourists thronged Manikarnika Ghat to witness this unique Holi celebration. Even as funeral processions continued, the chants of “Har Har Mahadev” echoed through the ghat, offering a new perspective on the profound connection between life and death that Kashi embodies.
The Legend Behind the Ritual
According to Kashi’s age-old belief, when Lord Vishwanath’s wedding procession takes place, his spectral followers—including ghosts, spirits, ascetics, Aghoris, and sages—are not part of it, as they are beyond worldly attachments. To honor his followers, Lord Shiva plays Holi with funeral ashes at Manikarnika Ghat the next day. This ancient tradition forms the basis of this extraordinary Holi celebration.
Before the ritual, a midday Aarti was performed at the Mahashmashaneshwar Mahadev temple under the supervision of Gulshan Kapoor and other officials. Following this, the Holi of funeral ashes commenced.
Death is Not an End, But a New Beginning
This event in Kashi reflects the profound philosophy that death is not the end, but a transition to eternity. Dr. Mridul Mishra of the Shiva Worship Committee reiterated that Lord Vishwanath, along with his followers, celebrates this Holi at Manikarnika Ghat every year after his grand wedding procession.
This unique festival serves as a powerful reminder of life’s impermanence and the eternal journey of the soul—a celebration where mortality meets divinity in the heart of Kashi.
