Holi in Varanasi: Forget Colours People Here Even Play With Pyre Ashes
Manikarnika Ghat from Varanasi is famous for the last rites in Hindu customs. This celebration is called the chita-bhasma Holi, which literally means the ash left from the funeral pyres.
Our country boasts of being multicultural and thus we have different ways of celebrating one festival. every festival holds a special significance in different communities and the way of enjoying it, the feast, the traditions also differ. Now, the most colourful festival of Holi too has different ways of celebration across the country. Associated with colours, smearing colours and getting yourselves drenched in water is quite obvious but did you know in Varanasi people indulge with ashes from the pyre fire.
Although it may seem bizarre, but Manikarnika Ghat from Varanasi is famous for the last rites in Hindu customs. This celebration is called the chita-bhasma Holi, which literally means the ash left from the funeral pyres. Hindus across the country believe in conducting the funeral of their loved ones near the Holy river Ganga. Death leads to salvation here, according to the belief. So the area is known for conducting funerals. On the eve of Holi, some people roister by smearing the ash from these funeral pyres.
According to legendary beliefs, this Holi was started by Lord Shiva himself. He played with his devotees at Kashi Vishwanath temple on the occasion of his 'gauna' (a wedding ritual). He had come back with his wife Parvati. Since then the tradition has been continued by his followers. And it is not a very grim celebration, in fact, people mix the red colour gulal with the ashes and play with each other.
The Chita Bhasma Holi
There are songs being played and it is enjoyed just like any normal celebration. A puja is also performed at Baba Mahashmashan Nath Mandir offering bhang, ganja, fruits and flowers to the deity.
It is just as colourful as other Holi celebrations in the country
It is a different kind of celebration which takes place a day before the actual Holika Dahan. In fact, in Uttar Pradesh the festival of Holi is celebrated in a completely unique manner. The zeal of the people here and different traditions that they follow within the state have various kinds of Holi being celebrated. While most of us just associate it with colours and water, here there are flowers, sticks, ashes accompanying the regular. The Lathmar Holi is another popular concept from the state. If one has to experience the reverence surrounding the festival in the country then Uttar Pradesh deserves a visit.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 01, 2018 09:01 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).