In the ancient city of Varanasi, the air thickened with devotion on Rangbhari Ekadashi as thousands gathered at Harishchandra Ghat for a unique celebration. This wasn’t the typical splash of colors; instead, revelers played Holi with the sacred ash from funeral pyres, marking the onset of the grand Holika festival.
Pilgrims from across India chanted ‘Har Har Mahadev’ while smearing vibhuti on each other, their faces lit by the glow of eternal flames. The ghat, a site of ceaseless cremations, transformed into a carnival of spirituality, where death’s inevitability merged with life’s joyous defiance.
Local devotees recounted how Mother Goddess’s palanquin arrives in a grand procession, inviting everyone to partake in this ritual. ‘This Holi erases the fear of mortality,’ one participant shared. ‘Shiva teaches us that death is the gateway to him.’
Drawing crowds from Delhi and beyond, the event peaks at Manikarnika Ghat the following day. Naga sadhus and ascetics lead the Masaan Holi, a tradition believed to have been started by Lord Shiva himself. Over centuries, it has evolved, now embracing all Shiva bhakts who seek to be colored in the divine ash.
As drums echoed and pink gulal mingled with gray bhasma, Varanasi reaffirmed its timeless blend of festivity and philosophy. This Rangbhari Ekadashi wasn’t just a holiday; it was a profound reminder of life’s cycle, celebrated amid the most sacred fires.