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| Boilerpipe Text | No words can truly capture the exuberance, the joyous revelry, and the deep devotion that fill Varanasi, the city of Lord Shiva, on the day of Mahashivratri. It is believed to be the divine night when Lord Shiva marries Devi Parvati, symbolizing the sacred union of Shiva and Shakti, the cosmic energies of creation.
To wed Devi Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas, Lord Shiva is said to arrive with a grand retinue of gods, spirits, demons, humans, animals, and beings representing the entirety of existence. Mahashivratri is therefore celebrated as a universal and inclusive festival in which everyone, regardless of background, takes part with equal fervor.
The culture of Varanasi, much like other ancient civilizations, is a seamless blend of traditions and influences absorbed over millennia. At the same time, the city continues to preserve powerful reminders of key events, philosophies, and folklore through its rituals and festivals. In Kashi, every particle is considered an embodiment of Shiva, its citizens are seen as divine, and every event is perceived as a play of cosmic forces. Against this backdrop, Mahashivratri emerges as an extraordinary occasion, with more than a million residents, pilgrims, and tourists participating with unmatched zeal.
A central highlight of the celebrations is the
Shiv Baraat
, the royal wedding procession of Lord Shiva. Several such processions are organized across the city, each attended by countless devotees and curious onlookers. In every baraat, a participant portrays Lord Shiva, complete with dreadlocks, a tiger-skin costume, a trident, and often a live snake or a replica for the faint-hearted around his neck. The procession also features elaborate tableaux and living scenes depicting deities such as Ganesha, Brahma, Vishnu, and goddesses, along with dramatic portrayals of Narasimha slaying the demon Hiranyakashipu, spirits, ghouls, guards on camels, and sometimes even elephants making their way through the narrow lanes. On rare occasions, groups of Naga sannyasis also join in, intensifying the spectacle.
At the rear of the procession, bronze-masked swordsmen in vibrant costumes perform dazzling displays of swordsmanship, sometimes with flaming swords. The air reverberates with the sounds of marching bands, conch shells, bells, cymbals, and drums, some in rhythm and others at random, adding to the joyous chaos. Young boys and men, painted and masked as ghosts or demons, make up an unregulated yet essential part of the parade. Women along the route welcome Lord Shiva and his retinue with flowers and food, while the city’s elite often lend their presence to the larger processions.
Among the most prominent processions are the one starting from
Tilbhandeshwar
, which begins at Harishchandra Ghat at around 2 p.m., proceeds to Derhsi Pul, and then returns to Tilbhandeshwar, and the one from
Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple
, which passes through Lahurabeer and Maldahiya before culminating at Derhsi Pul. Near the Kedar Temple, enormous effigies of Lord Shiva, Devi Parvati, and her attendants are ritually worshipped. Here, the Tilbhandeshwar procession halts briefly, allowing the organizer to showcase his sword-fighting skills.
The Mrityunjay Mahadev procession is particularly distinctive. It is often led by the erudite scholar Pandit Dharmsheel Chaturvedi, who plays the role of Lord Shiva, the sharp-witted and beloved poet Sand Banarasi, who serves as the groom’s best man, and philanthropist Atik Ansari, who humorously takes on the role of the bride. This playful inversion captures the festival’s idiosyncratic spirit and harmony.
As night falls, hundreds of thousands of barefoot pilgrims undertake the epic
Panchkroshi Parikrama
, a circumambulation covering both the ancient and modern settlements of Varanasi. Chanting “Har-Har Bam-Bam,” they run tirelessly, pausing only briefly at makeshift stalls where local residents serve water, almond thandai, fruits, and simple non-cereal snacks. The pilgrimage requires devotees to visit specific temples in a fixed sequence, a tradition that, over centuries, has ensured the upkeep of these heritage sites and preserved them as living history.
Across the city, stalls brim with
thandai
and sweets infused with cannabis, along with an array of fasting delicacies prepared without cereals. These include
anardana
, a savory dish made with water chestnut flour,
kachalu
, a spicy potato-based snack with dried mango powder, rich sweets crafted from cashews, almonds, and milk solids, and a variety of fried and steamed delicacies using cottage cheese. Many dishes are uniquely prepared with buckwheat, water chestnut flour, brown-beard rice, peanuts, and curd, promoting the consumption of crops not commonly cultivated today. This not only enhances the festive experience but also supports ecological diversity by sustaining the farming of less widely used grains.
Mahashivratri in Varanasi is thus not merely a festival, it is an unparalleled celebration of devotion, culture, inclusivity, and the city’s living heritage. |
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# Mahashivaratri
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No words can truly capture the exuberance, the joyous revelry, and the deep devotion that fill Varanasi, the city of Lord Shiva, on the day of Mahashivratri. It is believed to be the divine night when Lord Shiva marries Devi Parvati, symbolizing the sacred union of Shiva and Shakti, the cosmic energies of creation.
To wed Devi Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas, Lord Shiva is said to arrive with a grand retinue of gods, spirits, demons, humans, animals, and beings representing the entirety of existence. Mahashivratri is therefore celebrated as a universal and inclusive festival in which everyone, regardless of background, takes part with equal fervor.
The culture of Varanasi, much like other ancient civilizations, is a seamless blend of traditions and influences absorbed over millennia. At the same time, the city continues to preserve powerful reminders of key events, philosophies, and folklore through its rituals and festivals. In Kashi, every particle is considered an embodiment of Shiva, its citizens are seen as divine, and every event is perceived as a play of cosmic forces. Against this backdrop, Mahashivratri emerges as an extraordinary occasion, with more than a million residents, pilgrims, and tourists participating with unmatched zeal.
A central highlight of the celebrations is the **Shiv Baraat**, the royal wedding procession of Lord Shiva. Several such processions are organized across the city, each attended by countless devotees and curious onlookers. In every baraat, a participant portrays Lord Shiva, complete with dreadlocks, a tiger-skin costume, a trident, and often a live snake or a replica for the faint-hearted around his neck. The procession also features elaborate tableaux and living scenes depicting deities such as Ganesha, Brahma, Vishnu, and goddesses, along with dramatic portrayals of Narasimha slaying the demon Hiranyakashipu, spirits, ghouls, guards on camels, and sometimes even elephants making their way through the narrow lanes. On rare occasions, groups of Naga sannyasis also join in, intensifying the spectacle.
At the rear of the procession, bronze-masked swordsmen in vibrant costumes perform dazzling displays of swordsmanship, sometimes with flaming swords. The air reverberates with the sounds of marching bands, conch shells, bells, cymbals, and drums, some in rhythm and others at random, adding to the joyous chaos. Young boys and men, painted and masked as ghosts or demons, make up an unregulated yet essential part of the parade. Women along the route welcome Lord Shiva and his retinue with flowers and food, while the city’s elite often lend their presence to the larger processions.
Among the most prominent processions are the one starting from **Tilbhandeshwar**, which begins at Harishchandra Ghat at around 2 p.m., proceeds to Derhsi Pul, and then returns to Tilbhandeshwar, and the one from **Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple**, which passes through Lahurabeer and Maldahiya before culminating at Derhsi Pul. Near the Kedar Temple, enormous effigies of Lord Shiva, Devi Parvati, and her attendants are ritually worshipped. Here, the Tilbhandeshwar procession halts briefly, allowing the organizer to showcase his sword-fighting skills.
The Mrityunjay Mahadev procession is particularly distinctive. It is often led by the erudite scholar Pandit Dharmsheel Chaturvedi, who plays the role of Lord Shiva, the sharp-witted and beloved poet Sand Banarasi, who serves as the groom’s best man, and philanthropist Atik Ansari, who humorously takes on the role of the bride. This playful inversion captures the festival’s idiosyncratic spirit and harmony.
As night falls, hundreds of thousands of barefoot pilgrims undertake the epic **Panchkroshi Parikrama**, a circumambulation covering both the ancient and modern settlements of Varanasi. Chanting “Har-Har Bam-Bam,” they run tirelessly, pausing only briefly at makeshift stalls where local residents serve water, almond thandai, fruits, and simple non-cereal snacks. The pilgrimage requires devotees to visit specific temples in a fixed sequence, a tradition that, over centuries, has ensured the upkeep of these heritage sites and preserved them as living history.
Across the city, stalls brim with **thandai** and sweets infused with cannabis, along with an array of fasting delicacies prepared without cereals. These include *anardana*, a savory dish made with water chestnut flour, *kachalu*, a spicy potato-based snack with dried mango powder, rich sweets crafted from cashews, almonds, and milk solids, and a variety of fried and steamed delicacies using cottage cheese. Many dishes are uniquely prepared with buckwheat, water chestnut flour, brown-beard rice, peanuts, and curd, promoting the consumption of crops not commonly cultivated today. This not only enhances the festive experience but also supports ecological diversity by sustaining the farming of less widely used grains.
Mahashivratri in Varanasi is thus not merely a festival, it is an unparalleled celebration of devotion, culture, inclusivity, and the city’s living heritage.
26 Feb, 2025 - 27 Feb, 2025
11:08 am to 8:54 am
[]()
[](https://kashi.gov.in/cmsadmin/getApiFile/CMS/64aca87d1152a1689036925~jpg)
[](https://kashi.gov.in/cmsadmin/getApiFile/CMS/64aca856bd08c1689036886~jpg)
## Other Events & Activities
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#### Ganga Mahotsav
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#### 12 May 2025
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Varanasi is the cultural hotspot for Buddhism and Jainism too. Buddha Mahotsav is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord ...
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#### 11 Mar 2025
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Bhabhoot Holi i.e. Masan Holi is played in Varanasi on the very next day of Rangbhari Ekadashi. Holi has special significance ...
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#### 22 Oct 2025
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#### 03 Oct 2025
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This festival is held in Varanasi's Nati Imli. The festival is based on the bond between Sri Ram and his brothers in the ...
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#### 22 Oct 2025
#### Nak katayya
This festival is held in Varanasi's Nati Imli. The event is focused on Sri Ram's bond with his brothers and sisters in the ...
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Ends
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#### Dhrupad Mela
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Nag Nathaiyya festival held annually at Tulsi Ghat, is a part of the Shri Krishna Leela, showing Krishna's conquest with Nag, ...
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#### Daily
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The Sankat Mochan Temple in Varanasi, dedicated to Lord Hanuman, is not only one of the most visited temples in the city but ...
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#### Daily
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Daily Aartis at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Mangala Aarti (3:00 AM – 4:00 AM) The Mangala Aarti is the first ritual of the ...
**3:00 AM – 4:00 AM**
[Know More](https://kashi.gov.in/event/shri-kashi-vishwanath-aartis)
#### Daily
#### Ganga Aarti
The Ganga Aarti is a Puja ritual performed on a daily basis on the Ghats of Varanasi by 7 learned Brahmins of Kashi ...
**6:00 AM**
[Know More](https://kashi.gov.in/event/ganga-aarti)
#### Daily
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Subah-e-Banaras is a morning ceremony that takes place on the ghats in Varanasi, India. The ceremony is a celebration of the ...
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Ends
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The eleventh day of the waxing moon phase in the month of Phalguna is especially significant for the people of Varanasi. ...
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16Sep2025
Ends
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Ends
19Sep2025
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16Sep2025
Ends
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Starts
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Ends
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Starts
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Ends
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**Round the Clock**
[Know More](https://kashi.gov.in/event/nag-panchami-and-nagkoop)
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| Readable Markdown | No words can truly capture the exuberance, the joyous revelry, and the deep devotion that fill Varanasi, the city of Lord Shiva, on the day of Mahashivratri. It is believed to be the divine night when Lord Shiva marries Devi Parvati, symbolizing the sacred union of Shiva and Shakti, the cosmic energies of creation.
To wed Devi Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas, Lord Shiva is said to arrive with a grand retinue of gods, spirits, demons, humans, animals, and beings representing the entirety of existence. Mahashivratri is therefore celebrated as a universal and inclusive festival in which everyone, regardless of background, takes part with equal fervor.
The culture of Varanasi, much like other ancient civilizations, is a seamless blend of traditions and influences absorbed over millennia. At the same time, the city continues to preserve powerful reminders of key events, philosophies, and folklore through its rituals and festivals. In Kashi, every particle is considered an embodiment of Shiva, its citizens are seen as divine, and every event is perceived as a play of cosmic forces. Against this backdrop, Mahashivratri emerges as an extraordinary occasion, with more than a million residents, pilgrims, and tourists participating with unmatched zeal.
A central highlight of the celebrations is the **Shiv Baraat**, the royal wedding procession of Lord Shiva. Several such processions are organized across the city, each attended by countless devotees and curious onlookers. In every baraat, a participant portrays Lord Shiva, complete with dreadlocks, a tiger-skin costume, a trident, and often a live snake or a replica for the faint-hearted around his neck. The procession also features elaborate tableaux and living scenes depicting deities such as Ganesha, Brahma, Vishnu, and goddesses, along with dramatic portrayals of Narasimha slaying the demon Hiranyakashipu, spirits, ghouls, guards on camels, and sometimes even elephants making their way through the narrow lanes. On rare occasions, groups of Naga sannyasis also join in, intensifying the spectacle.
At the rear of the procession, bronze-masked swordsmen in vibrant costumes perform dazzling displays of swordsmanship, sometimes with flaming swords. The air reverberates with the sounds of marching bands, conch shells, bells, cymbals, and drums, some in rhythm and others at random, adding to the joyous chaos. Young boys and men, painted and masked as ghosts or demons, make up an unregulated yet essential part of the parade. Women along the route welcome Lord Shiva and his retinue with flowers and food, while the city’s elite often lend their presence to the larger processions.
Among the most prominent processions are the one starting from **Tilbhandeshwar**, which begins at Harishchandra Ghat at around 2 p.m., proceeds to Derhsi Pul, and then returns to Tilbhandeshwar, and the one from **Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple**, which passes through Lahurabeer and Maldahiya before culminating at Derhsi Pul. Near the Kedar Temple, enormous effigies of Lord Shiva, Devi Parvati, and her attendants are ritually worshipped. Here, the Tilbhandeshwar procession halts briefly, allowing the organizer to showcase his sword-fighting skills.
The Mrityunjay Mahadev procession is particularly distinctive. It is often led by the erudite scholar Pandit Dharmsheel Chaturvedi, who plays the role of Lord Shiva, the sharp-witted and beloved poet Sand Banarasi, who serves as the groom’s best man, and philanthropist Atik Ansari, who humorously takes on the role of the bride. This playful inversion captures the festival’s idiosyncratic spirit and harmony.
As night falls, hundreds of thousands of barefoot pilgrims undertake the epic **Panchkroshi Parikrama**, a circumambulation covering both the ancient and modern settlements of Varanasi. Chanting “Har-Har Bam-Bam,” they run tirelessly, pausing only briefly at makeshift stalls where local residents serve water, almond thandai, fruits, and simple non-cereal snacks. The pilgrimage requires devotees to visit specific temples in a fixed sequence, a tradition that, over centuries, has ensured the upkeep of these heritage sites and preserved them as living history.
Across the city, stalls brim with **thandai** and sweets infused with cannabis, along with an array of fasting delicacies prepared without cereals. These include *anardana*, a savory dish made with water chestnut flour, *kachalu*, a spicy potato-based snack with dried mango powder, rich sweets crafted from cashews, almonds, and milk solids, and a variety of fried and steamed delicacies using cottage cheese. Many dishes are uniquely prepared with buckwheat, water chestnut flour, brown-beard rice, peanuts, and curd, promoting the consumption of crops not commonly cultivated today. This not only enhances the festive experience but also supports ecological diversity by sustaining the farming of less widely used grains.
Mahashivratri in Varanasi is thus not merely a festival, it is an unparalleled celebration of devotion, culture, inclusivity, and the city’s living heritage.
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| Shard | 59 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 17310718778434461459 |
| Unparsed URL | in,gov,kashi!/event/mahashivaratri s443 |