MASAN
HOLI – ART & CULTURE
News:
In Frames | Rising from
the ashes
What's
in the news?
●
Masaan Holi is a unique two-day festival
celebrated on various ghats of Varanasi, attracting devotees worldwide.
Uniqueness:
●
It’s known for its distinctive blend of
spirituality, where participants use ashes from funeral pyres and gulal (pink
powder) during the festivities, symbolizing
a celebration of life and death.
Masaan
Holi:
●
The festival is characterized by large
processions where devotees dance, sing and chant
“Har-Har Mahadev” while navigating through the narrow lanes of Varanasi to
reach the ghats.
●
The air during the celebration becomes
thick with the ashes and gulal, adding to the event’s intense atmosphere.
Features:
●
The event sees a vibrant display of
culture, tradition and spirituality, with devotees engaging in various
activities—singing, dancing, dressing up for processions, and participating in
the evening aarti prayers.
●
The use of ashes and gulal symbolizes the
festival’s deep spiritual and cultural connotations.
Varanasi
as the Spiritual Hub:
●
Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India,
is famed for its deep-rooted religious significance, home to over 2,000 temples and ghats.
●
The city hosts several rituals, including
the evening aarti prayers on the banks
of the Ganga, drawing thousands of devotees seeking divine blessings and
spiritual cleansing.
Modern
Influence:
●
The impact of social media on the
celebration was notably visible, with a significant number of attendees
capturing the event on their devices, highlighting a modern twist to the
traditional festivities.
Atmospheric
Description:
●
Masaan Holi offers a powerful experience,
not just through its unique traditions but also through the immersive
environment created by the crowds, the ritualistic use of ashes and gulal, and
the overall fervent devotion of the participants, making it an event of
profound spiritual significance and communal celebration.