Naga Sadhus Celebrate Bhasma Holi with Funeral Ashes in Varanasi

On Tuesday, the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi witnessed the extraordinary ‘Chita Bhasma Holi’ or ‘Masan Holi,’ where Naga Sadhus and devotees played Holi using ashes from funeral pyres amidst burning cremations. This unique ritual, steeped in spiritual symbolism, drew participants and foreign tourists alike to the Mahashamshan cremation ground.

Gulshan Kapoor, organizer of the event, described how Naga Sadhus, armed with tridents and swords, danced energetically, one adorned with a skull garland performing the fierce ‘Tandava.’ The hour-long celebration, starting at noon after a grand ‘aarti’ for Baba Mahashamshan Nath, saw attendees smeared with ash and colors. Preparations began six months prior, with two to three sacks of pyre ash collected daily, though this year’s event faced resistance from religious scholars.

The Kashi Vidvat Parishad and other groups condemned the practice as unscriptural. General Secretary Ramnarayan Dwivedi argued, “There’s no evidence in our texts for householders playing Holi at a cremation ground. This misleads people and defies tradition.” In response to safety concerns amid the large crowd, the Mahashamshan Nath Temple Committee urged women to refrain from attending, citing potential disorder.

The ritual’s origins tie to ‘Rangbhari Ekadashi,’ when Lord Shiva is believed to have brought Goddess Parvati to Kashi post-marriage. While humans and celestial beings celebrate Holi with colors, Shiva’s mystical companions—ghosts and spirits—are excluded. To include them, Shiva plays Holi with pyre ashes the next day, symbolizing life’s impermanence and spiritual unity.

This rare tradition attracts thousands globally, offering a profound encounter with mortality. Despite scholarly dissent, the ash-laden celebration remains a powerful testament to Varanasi’s blend of the divine and the macabre, captivating those who seek its deeper meaning.