Masan Holi 2026: How did the tradition of playing Holi with pyre started in Kashi? know

Masan Holi 2026: Every year, after Holika Dahan on the full moon day of Phalgun month, people play Holi with colors the next day. This year the festival of Holi will be celebrated on 04 March. People across the country will apply color and gulal to each other on this day. Different colors of Holi are seen in different parts of the country. Holi of Braj is famous all over the country. In Braj, Laddumar, Lathmar, flower wali and Chhadimar Holi is played.

This year, Holi of Braj has started, but do you know that there is a part of the country where people play Holi with the ashes of pyre. This Holi is also very famous. It is called Holi of Masan. Guests come not only from the country but also from abroad to see this unique Holi. This Holi is played at Manikarnika Ghat in Kashi. Let us know how the tradition of Masaan Holi started in Kashi?

Holi is played at Manikarnika Ghat

Every year, Masaan Holi of Kashi is played on the next day of Rangbhari Ekadashi. This year Rangbhari Ekadashi is tomorrow i.e. on 27th February. Masan Holi will be played on 28th February. Just hearing the name of the crematorium creates fear in the mind, but during Masan Holi, devotees of Lord Shiva enjoy the celebration of death by blowing the ashes of the pyre at Manikarnika Ghat.

It is believed that the tradition of playing Holi with the ashes of the pyre in Kashi city was started by Lord Bholenath himself. There is a deep spiritual reason behind this. Shiva reached Kashi for the first time after his marriage, on that day people expressed happiness by playing Holi. All the gods and goddesses had gathered in this festival. According to texts like Shiva Purana and Durga Saptashati, the favorite deities of Lord Shankar, ghosts, yakshas and Gandharvas were not able to participate in this festival.

Bholenath had played Masaan Holi

After this, Bholenath played Holi of ashes with his followers in the crematorium at Manikarnika Ghat on the Dwadashi of Shukla Paksha of Phalgun month. Since then the tradition of playing Masan Holi has been going on in Kashi. Naga Sadhus, Aghoris and other saints participate in this festival. Aarti of Baba Mahashamshan Nath and Mata Masan Kali takes place at Manikarnika Ghat. After this, the wonderful festival of playing Holi with ashes begins amidst the burning pyres.

Masaan Holi is played only by saints and sages. However, with changing times, some Shiva devotees have also started participating in this Holi. Most people enjoy this festival from a distance. Women stay away from this festival, because women are prohibited from participating in this festival.

Also read: Holi 2026: Do these 3 things before playing with colors and gulal, Holi festival will become auspicious.