Masan Holi 2026: There is a significant difference between the Holi of Braj and Kashi. In Varanasi, devotees of Lord Shiva play Holi with the ashes of a funeral pyre, a festival known as Masan Holi. Find out why Masan Holi originated and when it is celebrated.

Masaan Holi 2026

Masan Holi 2026:  Holi is a festival of colors, but in Kashi, Holi is played with the ashes of a funeral pyre. It is called Masan Holi. This year, Masan Holi falls on February 28, 2026. In Varanasi, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati play Holi with colors on Rangbhari Ekadashi.

The next day, on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Phalguna month, Lord Mahashmashanath, or Bholenath, plays Holi with ashes with his followers, including ghosts, vampires, yakshas, ​​gandharvas, and demons. This is also mentioned in the Shiva Purana and Durga Saptashati. Learn about the significance of Holi in the graveyard.

Masaan's Holi is the festival of ashes.

Masaan Holi is a unique and spiritual Holi celebrated in Varanasi (Kashi). It is also known as the festival of ashes. 'Masaan' means cremation ground (where dead bodies are cremated), and 'Masaan Holi' means cremation ground Holi. Here, there are no colors, no water guns, no cowherds, no cowherds. Devotees of Lord Shiva, disguised as ghosts and spirits, play Holi with the ashes of the funeral pyre. This festival signifies liberation from the trap of worldly desires, as ultimately one will be reduced to ashes. This celebration symbolizes victory over death and the immortality of the soul beyond the cycle of life and death.

Who can play Masaan Holi?

This Holi is known as Masaan Holi, Bhasma Holi, and Bhabhut Holi. The Holi at the crematorium in Kashi (Varanasi) is world-famous, attracting visitors from abroad.

Masan Holi is played by saints, common people, and Aghoris; however, women are prohibited from participating in this Holi.

How did Masaan Holi originate?

According to mythology, the Masan Holi festival was started by Lord Shiva. In fact, on the day of Rangbhari Ekadashi, Baba Vishwanath visited Kashi for the first time after his marriage to Goddess Parvati. That day, he welcomed her with the color of gulal.

Lord Shiva played Holi with Gulal with his followers, but did not play with ghosts, Yakshas, ​​Gandharvas, and spirits; that is why Holi of the cremation ground is played on the second day of Rangbhari Ekadashi.