Varanasi: Vibrant Rangbhari Ekadashi celebrations in Varanasi on Friday marked the ‘gauna’ of Goddess Parvati after her wedding to Lord Shiv on Mahashivratri. The day also marked the beginning of Holi celebrations in the holy city, with long queues of devotees seen outside major shrines and the town reverberating with ‘Har Har Mahadev’.The festivities continued with traditional fervour as devotees thronged the Kashi Vishwanath Temple premises. For the first time, the two prime centres of Hindu devotion – Kashi & Mathura – embraced each other this Rangbhari Ekadashi. Colours and gulal from KVT were sent to Vrindavan, while a troupe of folk artistes from Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple brought ‘raas’ and flower Holi vibes to KVT.As the day progressed, Kashi revelled in Holi cheer — the streets turned vibrant with ‘gulal’. Following tradition, Baba Vishwanath’s idol was brought out from the former mahant’s residence, accompanied by chants of ‘Har-Har Mahadev’ and damru beats. The highlight was a colourful procession, where silver idols of Shiva and Parvati were carried on palanquins, marking their ‘gauna’ to KVT amidst joy and celebrations.Another vibrant procession also stole the show, with abir-smeared sadhus dressed as Lord Shiv dancing to Holi tunes, marking the festival’s arrival.Residents were seen smearing ‘kumkum’ and ‘abeer’ on Shivlings across the city. Celebrated just a few days before Holi, Rangbhari Ekadashi marks the divine return of Lord Shiv to Kashi after his marriage to Goddess Parvati. The festival is also linked with Vishnu worship, making Rangbhari Ekadashi a unique blend of Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions.KVT CEO Vishwa Bhushan Mishra highlighted that Rangbhari Ekadashi holds a special place in both Kashi and Braj traditions. In Varanasi, people mark this day by thronging the KVT with deity idols, with gulal flying everywhere.
