By Admin 
Controversy over Masan Holi in Kashi: ‘Masaan Ki Holi’, which has been celebrated for decades at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, has been embroiled in controversies this year. Vishwanath Chaudhary, a descendant of the Dom Raja family of Kashi, has submitted a memorandum to the district administration demanding a ban on this event.
He says that this tradition is not according to the scriptures, which is harming the dignity of the crematorium. He warned that, if the event was not stopped, they would be forced to stop the cremation in the crematorium. After submitting his memorandum, the administration is in a state of confusion.
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What is the tradition of Masan Holi?
According to beliefs, Lord Shiva brought Mother Gauri to Kashi on Rangbhari Ekadashi after her marriage. According to mythology, Shiva’s members could not go in the wedding procession, due to which they were hurt. To fulfill his wish, the tradition of playing Holi with the ashes of the pyre started in Mahashman.
With the passage of time, this event related to Aghori and Tantric traditions kept expanding.
After the year 2009, Gulshan Kapoor, administrator of Baba Mahashamshan Mandir Management Committee, gave it a systematic form, after which the Yag event became much discussed in the country as well as abroad. Every year thousands of people come to see this grand spectacle, which is also mentioned in almanacs.
Arguments against Masana’s Holi
According to Vishwanath Chaudhary, Masana’s Holi clearly has no religious basis. He alleged that during the event, drunk people create ruckus, women and minors are seen behaving inappropriately in front of dead bodies and making videos, which violates the sanctity of the crematorium.
Organization Minister of Shri Kashi Duly Parishad, Prof. Vinay Kumar Pandey has called it against the scriptures. He said that in the scriptures, women and children are prohibited from entering cremation grounds.
What did the organizers say on Masana Holi?
Gulshan Kapoor, who was associated with the event, argued that Kashi itself is a great crematorium, where even death is seen as a celebration. According to him, along with Vedas and Shastras, it also has its beliefs in Tantra and Aghor traditions, from which point of view this event is correct.
He also raised the question that, when Dom Raja family participates in the events held at other ghats, then what is being protested here. At present, the administration of Kashi is trying to strike a balance between the arguments of both the parties, while the debate regarding Masana’s Holi is intensifying.
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