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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Manikarnika Ghat: Kashi situated in Uttar Pradesh is called the city of Mahadev, because Mahadev resides in every particle here. Therefore this city holds great importance for Hindu religion. Manikarnika Ghat is situated on the banks of river Ganga in Kashi, which is also called Mokshadayani Ghat or Mahacremation. It is said that pyres always burn here.

Manikarnika Ghat of Kashi is not just a ghat, but also a deep spiritual identity of Hindu religion and Indian culture. Generally people go to religious places to fulfill their wishes. But this is a place where people come not for wishes but for peace, liberation and salvation.

It is auspicious to die at Manikarnika Ghat.

Kashi city and the Manikarnika Ghat located here have been explained in detail in the Kashi section. Death at this place is considered auspicious. Here, by cremation the soul is freed from the cycle of life and death. According to the scriptures, the soul attains salvation by cremating the death in Kashi. This is the reason why people come here not for wish fulfillment but for peace and liberation of the self.

Maranam Mangalam Yatra Vibhutischa Vibhushanam
Kaupinaam yatra kauseyam sa kashi ken miyate.

In this verse of Kashi Khand, it is told that it is auspicious to die in Kashi. One who sacrifices his life in this city becomes free from the cycle of birth and death.

The fire of Manikarnika Ghat never extinguishes

The unique feature of Manikarnika Ghat is that the fire here never extinguishes. That is why it is also called ‘Akhand Agni’. It is said that, this fire is beyond the boundaries of time and reflects the mystery of life and death.

Deep mystery of Manikarnika Ghat

Regarding the origin of the name Manikarnika, it is said that the earring gem ‘Manikarn’ of Goddess Sati (Parvati) had fallen here, hence the name Manikarnika. According to the mythological story, this ghat is cursed by Mother Parvati, hence this ghat always keeps burning with pyres.

Why is Kashi’s Manikarnika Ghat Demolition in controversy?

These days there is a political turmoil at Manikarnika Ghat of Kashi. The video of removal of some statues and artefacts and debris during the ongoing renovation and redevelopment work at Manikarnika Ghat has gone viral on social media. These videos gave rise to political controversy. The video is also being said to be AI generated and fake. Although its investigation is going on.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reached Varanasi on Saturday (January 17, 2026) and targeted the opposition parties, saying that Congress and its allies are not liking the development, hence they are continuously trying to mislead the people of the country through misleading and false propaganda.

Addressing a press conference at the Circuit House here, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central and Uttar Pradesh governments are working together to promote religious tourism in Kashi as well as to preserve the ancient heritage.

He said, “Congress and its allies are not liking this development work, hence they are continuously trying to mislead the people of the country through their misleading and false propaganda.” Yogi said that Kashi is witnessing unprecedented development today. He said that projects worth more than Rs 55 thousand crore have come on the ground in Varanasi, which is writing a new story of development.

Praising the work of Prime Minister Modi, the Chief Minister said that this trend has been going on since the construction of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. During that time, some people tried to mislead the innocent public by showing broken statues, but today the truth is in front of everyone. He told that after the construction of Kashi Vishwanath corridor, one to one and a half lakh devotees are offering darshan and worship every day, whereas earlier this number was limited to only 10 to 15 thousand.

The Chief Minister said that reconstruction and development work is also being done at Manikarnika Ghat. Congress and its supporters are making absurd allegations regarding this also. However, the people of Kashi know the truth very well and stand with the development works. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warned that strict action will be taken against those who are misleading the public through social media. He made it clear that the government will continue to move forward strongly on its resolve to preserve both development and heritage.

Meanwhile, reacting to the Chief Minister’s statements, Samajwadi Party President and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav posted on ‘X’, “Can you say this by going to the Ghats of Kashi and looking into the eyes of the people of Kashi? This is not a question, it is a challenge, unfortunate!”

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has made serious allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the redevelopment of the famous Manikarnika Ghat of Varanasi. Kharge has said that in the name of beautification and commercialization, heritage is being demolished with bulldozers. He alleged that PM Modi just wants to paste his name plate by erasing every heritage of history.

Worked to destroy spiritual heritage: Kharge

Kharge posted on social media platform First, big and small temples and shrines were demolished in the name of the corridor and now it is the turn of the ancient ghats. You want to erase every heritage of history and just stick your name plate on it.

Kharge also shared some pictures and videos in the X post, in which bulldozers and broken statues are also visible. Kharge raised the question why centuries-old statues and temples were demolished? Why were they not kept in the museum? Lakhs of people come to Kashi for salvation, do they intend to cheat the devotees?

.@narendramodi Yes,

In the name of vulgar beautification and commercialization, you have destroyed centuries-old religious, cultural and spiritual heritage by running bulldozers at Manikarnika Ghat in Banaras.

You want to erase every historical heritage and just stick your name plate on it… pic.twitter.com/A2yjf0UrYd

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) January 15, 2026

What is Manikarnika Ghat and why is it being redeveloped?

• Manikarnika Ghat is the most sacred cremation ground in Hinduism. There is a belief that one attains salvation by performing the last rites here.
• This ghat is one of the oldest ghats of Varanasi, whose story is related to the earring of Mata Sati.
• The foundation of the redevelopment project was laid by PM Modi on 7 July 2023. This is part of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project.

The main objective of this project is to widen the ghat, provide ramp for pilgrims, seating area, VIP seating, wood plaza, cleanliness, flood protection and increase connectivity to Scindia Ghat. According to some reports, the cost of this project is around Rs 17.56 crore. The project is expected to be completed by 2026. There is a plan to use less wood and reduce pollution through eco-friendly technology.

Then what is the controversy over this project?

Local people and opponents allege that centuries-old statues and small and big temples have been damaged during the work. However, the district administration has rejected these allegations. The administration has said that no temple or cultural structure is being destroyed, everything is safe and will be restored later. Varanasi Collector has warned against spreading wrong information on social media.