The great night of lord shiva's wedding! Mahashivratri is celebrated with great fervor in all parts of India but, there's none like Banaras!
Lord Shiva's own city - the oldest Kashi is filled with mysticism, devotion and an aura that cannot be felt any where else. A very casual form of devotion is experienced in varanasi where, Shiva resides conciously, uncounciously and casually in heart of every banarasi. Where Shiva is the inevitable guru and is addressed like a mitra (friend) by kashi-vasi. The city echoes with common greeting verse Mahadev! Aren't you connecting already with the vibes of banaras?
So when its Maha Shivaratri approaching, the zeal of celebration is insane from before a month. Maha Shivaratri is the auspicious night of shiv-parvati wedding, but the preparation of marriage begins from the very occasion of basant panchami, when Baba's tilak is performed at tedi neem residence of the main priest of kashi vishwanath temple. These rituals are performed from more than 358 years now and on the night of Mahashivratri, a spectacular procession of shiv baarat is taken out on the streets.
While devotees have been observing vrat (fasting) throughout the day with fruit, water, and thandai, a special drink made with bhang (cannabis), almonds, and milk, primarily drunk lovingly on the day because cannabis is said to be shiva's favourite; the sight of shiv baarat is enlivening to them. Baaratis includes the devtas as well as the dreadful bhoot pret, kinnar, nar-nari, and sarp!
The celebration concludes on Rangbhari Ekadashi parv, when ma parvati's 'Gauna' rituals are performed at the premises of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It is the day when shiva left for Kailash after his marriage to ma parvati on maha shivaratri. Entire Kashi Vishwanath temple is covered in red gulal and filled with the enchanting sound of damroo, creating a mystical sight of banaras playing holi with their mahadev.
This is how, Mahashivratri is lived and felt in Kashi! A city reverberating 'namah parvati pateh har har mahadev' from its very essence.