A colourful parade in Varanasi celebrating the religious festival of Shivratri, which is held annually around the middle of February.

The festival commemorates the marriage between Shiva and his shakti, that is his female energy, who in her benevolent form is known as Parvati.

The parade features the main characters related to Shiva, such as Saivites and his shakti.

The latter is portrayed in all her different aspects, i.e. both benevolent appearances, such as Devi, Parvati and Uma, and her terrible or malicious forms, such as Durga and Kali (fig.).

The deeper significance of this festival is the union between the male and female energy.