VARANASI: Forward of the Holi pageant, to be celebrated on March 18, the devotees of Lord Shiva in Kashi performed the pageant of color with the deity amid non secular fervour on the event of 'Rangbhari Ekadashi' on Monday.
As per the mythology, Lord Shiva, after marrying Goddess Parvati on the day of Maha Shivratri, involves his everlasting abode Kashi on 'Falgun Shukla Ekadashi' for 'gauna'. In Kashi, at the present time is well known as Rangbhari Ekadashi. It's believed that Lord Shiva celebrates Holi along with his devotees at Kashi Vishwanath temple on the event of his 'gauna' as he involves Kashi on the day of Rangbhari Ekadashi with Goddess Parvati.
On the account of the Rangbhari Ekadashi celebration, town plunges into Holi festivity. Sustaining the custom a number of devotees took half within the celebration hurling gulal and rose petals on Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. A procession carrying the idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in a 'palki' was taken out from the home of the previous mahant of Kashi Vishwanath Temple on the event.
Totally lined in colors, enjoying shankh, damru, and different musical devices, the devotees went to the sanctum sanctorum of Kashi Vishwanath Temple and supplied gulal and rose petals to the presiding deity of Kashi.
In addition to, town additionally witnessed one other distinctive Holi celebration -'Masane ki Holi' (Holi at cremation floor with pyre ashes) on the Harishchandra Ghat. The occasion was organised by the Kashi Moksha Dayini Seva Samiti. A Shobha yatra of Baba Mashan Nath was carried out from Baba Kinaram Sthal to Harishchandra Ghat, the place devotees performed Holi with the pyre ashes.
Nevertheless, historically the Masane ki Holi is well known across the burning pyres on the major cremation floor at Manikarnika Ghat a day after Rangbhari Ekadashi. "Since his beloved ethereal 'ganas' like ghosts don't get an opportunity to rejoice Holi with Lord Shiva on Rangbhari Ekadashi day.
The deity himself involves the cremation floor to play 'Holi of pyre ashes with them on the very subsequent day,' mentioned the organizer Gulshan Kapoor, including that the 'Chita Bhasma Holi' (Holi of pyre ashes) on the Manikarnika Ghat shall be held on Tuesday.