Rituals were performed to wish Narendra Modi’s PM appointment

Varanasi. On Kashi’s biggest cemetery, the Mankarnika Ghat, there were flaring corpses on one hand and echoes of chimes and bangles on the other. At one end the feeling of mortification was prevalent, on the other was feeling of admiration of being alive was sweeping in. Every time when Navratri ends, this ironical sight of life and death is seen here. Every year prostitutes perform rituals here. Only this time it was different as rituals were performed to wish Narendra Modi’s PM appointment. At Baba’s Levee, some were delirious with joy, while others were petrified at the sight of a loved one’s corpse. In the morning Rudrabhishek ritual was performed on Baba, while in the evening, after decorations and adornment, Maha Aarti took its course.

At night the prostitutes recited Swaranjali, and also paid homage by presenting a dance. The convoy of fun and joy was riding high as Bhajans(Devotional Songs) and tunes like ‘Laaga chunari me daag chupaun kaise…’ were chanted. The gauche style of indomitable city of Moksha, Kashi, continued at the cemetery. At the same time the prostitutes performed rituals to wish luck to Narendra Modi. Amidst burning corpses, the prostitutes recite songs for the freedom of soul (Mukti) of the dead ones. This is a very unique tradition, executed annually on seventh day of Navratri (Saptami). It has started in 16th century at this very Mankarnika Ghat cemetery and continues till date. In the witness of Lord Natraaj on the Saptami, at Mahanisha Kaal, amidst flaring corpses the prostitutes perform the ritual all night long. First they embellish Baba Shamshan Nath, and then they swing and twist on music in front of the blazing corpses. According to program’s administrator Mr. Gulshan Kapoor, Raja Maan Singh started this tradition, during Akbar’s tenure. Raja Maan Singh erected this Shamshan Nath temple in 16th century. Prayers and revering ceremonies were organized at this premise. But in that era many artists declined to visit at this site, as it was a cemetery. So Maan Singh sent invitation to the prostitutes. Willingly accepting the invite, they performed dance all night long. They took vows and prayed to god that they become free of all the miseries they endure. Gulshan Kapoor told that this time they also prayed for Narendra Modi to become the prime minister.