Holi of Barsana, the birthplace of Radha, a village, 42 kms away from Mathura, is of particular interest. Here, men from Nandgaon, the land of Krishna come to play Holi with the girls of Barsana and hope of raising their flag over Shri Radhika Ji’s temple. But, instead of colours they are greeted with sticks by the gopis. Hence, the Holi get its new name here-Lathmaar Holi.
Smart enough, men come fully padded as they are fully aware what kind of welcome awaits them and also the fact that they are not allowed to retaliate on that day.
In this mock battle of sorts, they try their best not to be captured. The unlucky one’s however, are forcefully led away and get a good thrashing from the women. Further, they are made to wear a female attire and dance in public. All in the spirit of Holi.
University students celebrate Phoolon ki Holi in Gurgaon
Celebrated in the villages a few days before Holi, ‘Lathamar’ means ‘playing with sticks’
Indian villagers smear themselves with colours during the Lathmar Holi festival at the Nandji Temple in Nandgaon, some 120 kms from New Delhi. The women of Nandgaon, the home town of Hindu God Krishna, attack the men from Barsana, the legendary home town of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their efforts to put color on them, reciprocating acts performed yesterday in Barsana between the women of that village with the men of Nandgaon as they observe the Lathmar Holi festival
It is celebrated in the Hindu month of Phalgun on full moon day. It corresponds to the month of March in the English calendar
Lathmar Holi is celebrated days before the actual Holi
Men who are caught by the women of Barsana are made to wear female clothing and dance in public
People of Nandgaon rest after participating in the celebrations
The annual event, said to be observed for last 5000 years in Barsana and Nandgaon villages is welcomed with enthusiasm and historical pride
The celebration of Holi here is marked by a fine blending of music and dance by local youngsters who enthrall the visitors from across the globe
The festival is known to recreate the legendary story, where Lord Krishna,who hailed from Nandgaon, is driven out of Barsana by Radha and her friends after teasing them
The traditional ‘Lathamar Holi’ started with pomp at Barsana village, as couples celebrated the colourful festival with utmost zeal amid a tight security put in place by district authorities
This festival is attracts a large number of visitors every year
Women of Barsana dressed up in traditional attires beat the men of Nandagaon during the festival
A college student reacts as coloured powder is thrown into her face during Holi in New Delhi
A widow covered in gulal dances to traditional folk musi at Gopinath temple, Vrindavan
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