Varanasi's Masan Holi Celebrated Amid Restrictions and Varied Participation

Varanasi's Masan Holi, a unique festival where devotees play Holi using funeral pyre ashes, was observed at Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats with varied participation this year. While Harishchandra Ghat saw vibrant celebrations with music and dance, Manikarnika Ghat experienced a subdued event amid heavy police restrictions and limited attendance due to renovation work and community concerns. Authorities allowed only cremation-related individuals at Manikarnika, with some devotees defying curbs to join the rituals honoring Baba Masannath, reflecting the festival's spiritual significance and ongoing local debates.