MASAN HOLI 2023: Chita Bhasm Holi or Masan Holi, is celebrated at the cremation ground in Varanasi by smearing ashes from the funeral pyre. It’s believed that Lord Shiva visits the cremation ground, the famous Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, on this day to celebrate Bhasm Holi.

The Harishchandra Ghat in Varanasi was drenched in festivities on Friday after saints, seers and other devotees of Lord Shiva thronged the ghat to take part is one of the most peculiar traditions of playing Holi with the ashes and remains of the pyre. (Image: News18)

The tradition, referred as ‘Masan Holi’, is organised to mark Rangbhari Ekadashi. (Image: News18)

The tradition, said to be as old as Kashi itself, is organised five days ahead of Holi and marks the onset of festivities in Uttar Pradesh’s spiritual capital. (Image: News18)

The Masan Holi celebrations got off to a grand start this year when devotees carried out a Shobha Yatra, starting from Aghor Peeth Baba Keenaram Ashram. (Image: News18)

The procession saw the participation of more than 50,000 people, most of who were dressed as followers of Lord Shiva. The almost 5-km-long procession, that also covered Sonarpura and Bhelupura, concluded at Raja Harishchandra Ghat at 3pm. (Image: News18)

Not only saints, seers and sadhvis, but people from all walks of life assemble at the cremation ground amidst the burning pyres to take part in an age-old tradition of celebrating death with the hope of attaining salvation (moksha). (Image: News18)

As per Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati on Mahashivratri and stayed back at Parvati’s maternal home for a few days. It was believed that two weeks later, on Rangbhari Ekadashi, Lord Shiva brought her to Kashi for the first time after marriage. (Image: News18)

It is believed that the coming of Goddess Parvati was celebrated by Lord Shiva’s devotees at Kashi Vishwanath temple, but Shiva’s ethereal followers didn’t get the chance to play with colours so the Lord himself came to the cremation ground to play Holi with them using ashes. (Image: News18)

Masan Holi is also observed at Manikarnika Ghat, the world’s biggest cremation ground. (Image: News18)

For long, Masan Holi was restricted to saints and seers. But almost three decades ago, the tradition gained popularity when some groups came forward to arrange organised celebrations. (Image: News18)