Rangbhari Ekadashi 2023: Devotees To Celebrate With A Newfound Zeal And Enthusiasm
The festival of Rangbhari Ekadashi 2023 is among one of the most awaited fests in Varanasi. Since the festival involves Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, thousands of devotees pool into the streets to celebrate it every year.
But after two years of restrictions due to the pandemic, the celebration will be even more colorful than before. Read ahead to know more about the Rangbhari Ekadashi Varanasi 2023 and how to become a part of the celebrations.
Rangbhari Ekadashi Legend
The story behind the festival begins after the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. They get referred to as Baba Vishwanath and Maata Gaura. Their day of arrival in the city gets celebrated as the occasion. It is said that the Lord first brought his wife to Kashi.
There, they receive the due blessings of the priests and enjoy a festival of colors together. The poojas end to let the god and goddess embark on a journey to their ultimate destination- Mount Kailash in the Himalayas.
This date falls on the day of the Rangbhari Ekadashi, which the followers celebrate joyously. And after a series of poojas and aartis, people finally celebrate by throwing colorful powders over each other. It is very similar to Holi, but it is a local festival celebrated especially joyously in Kashi, unlike Holi.
Celebrations Of The Fest In 2023
The ritual begins in the morning of Rangbhari Ekadashi on the 3rd of March 2023. Before the break of dawn, 11 Brahmins do the Rudrabhishek of the idol of Baba Vishwanath. It gets followed by the Shodopchar worship and Shiv-Shakti bath.
These are all quintessential steps to start the festival in the right way. After multiple hours of rituals, the Anna Kshetra event gets conducted, and the idol receives garlands and jewelry from devotees. Once all of this ends, the statues get carried by the devotees to play a game of colors.
The real celebration of the locals starts in the evening when they carry the statues of the Lord and Goddess through the streets. It is said that this is the start of their long journey to Mt. Kailash, where they live after it.
Rangbhari Ekadashi 2023 Date
The Rangbhari Ekadashi celebrations will begin in the Brahma Muhurat on the 3rd of March 2023. The official Rangbhari Ekadashi 2023 date falls five days before Holi, so it is the 3rd of March this year.
Following this event will be other events like the Chita Bhasm Holi ‘Masan Holi’, celebrated on the 4th of March in Manikarnika Ghat. Another version of the Masan Holi will happen at Harishchandra Ghat on the same day as the Rangbhari Ekadashi 2023.
Where To Join The Rangbhari Ekadashi Celebrations?
If you wish to join the Rangbhari Ekadashi and mix in with the locals, you can visit the Vishwanath Gali. Attending the pooja may not be possible as the temple would already be brimming with priests and other devotees.
But after the end of the pooja, the people bring out the statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati into the Vishwanath Gali. The street then sees hundreds of people packed into the narrow lanes. Here, people enjoy throwing colors in good spirits over others.
