Masan Holi

Wiki Article

Masan Holi

Masan Holi in Varanasi: A Unique Tradition Celebrating Life and Death

Holi, the vibrant festival of colors, is celebrated across India with unmatched fervor, but in Varanasi,  webthe celebration takes on a unique and rather mystical flavor. While most people associate Holi with playful color fights and joyous revelry, the city of Varanasi, the spiritual heart of India, presents a completely different way of celebrating this festival. Here, it is celebrated with a ritual known as Masan Holi (Holi of the Dead).

Masan Ki Holi is a one-of-a-kind tradition that beautifully blends the spirit of life and death, embodying the city's philosophy of life beyond death. It is a peculiar yet fascinating celebration, far removed from the mainstream Holi festivities. Let’s dive deeper into this extraordinary celebration that takes place along the ghats of Varanasi, where the eternal dance of life and death is reflected.

What is Masan Holi?

In Varanasi, Holi is celebrated in a very unique manner at the Masan (cremation grounds) of the city. On the full moon night of Phalguna, when the rest of the country is celebrating Holi with colors, Varanasi’s masans are alive with fire, chants, and a symbolic celebration of life’s impermanence. Masan Holi is celebrated in the form of a ritual that honors the souls of the departed.

In this context, the term “masan” refers to the cremation ground, which is considered an important place in the city for liberation (moksha). It is believed that when a person is cremated at Varanasi’s ghats, they attain freedom from the cycle of birth and death. As such, Holi is not just a festival of colors here but also a celebration of souls that have passed on to their next journey.