Postcards from India's famous Lathmar Holi

Around 4-5 days before the main Holi festival, Lathmar Holi is celebrated by the folks of village Barsana and Nandgaon located close to Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. As the name suggests, Lathmar Holi is celebrated with bamboo sticks and colours. The inclusion of bamboo sticks might sound and appear intimidating, but it is far from being so.

Barsana is the place where Radha, the divine consort of Lord Krishna was born. Legend has it that Krishna, in his boyhood, would visit Barsana during Holi with his close friends. Being the good-hearted prankster he was, Krishna playfully smeared Radha’s face with colour. Witnessing this sight, the elder females of Barsana expressed their displeasure by forcefully driving away Krishna and his gang from the village with their lathis.

The dwellers of Barsana and Nandgaon commemorate the bygone days by enacting the scene of Krishna’s pranks at the time of Holi. As a part of the long-held tradition, men of Nandgaon visit Barsana to play Lathmar Holi in the compound of the temple built in honour of Radha.

To begin with, the men from Nandgaon tease the women of Nandgaon by singing annoying songs in order to catch their attention. The women act their part sportingly by using bamboo staffs to beat up the ‘intruders’. The men, however, come fully prepared for the occasion by wearing padded protective gear underneath their dress and play their part cheerfully without getting offended. Also, they protect themselves from the onslaught by using a shield.

Some men even get dressed in female attire, and sing and dance whilst playing Lathmar Holi with the womenfolk.

The celebrations go a notch higher as water colours are thrown around everywhere. Loud and cheerful cries of ‘Shri Radhey’ and ‘Shri Krishna’ are heard from all the directions during the fun festivities.

On the next day, the women of Barsana visit Nandgaon to celebrate Holi with the local females. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the men of village soak the visitors in different colours.

Lathmar Holi 2018 would be no less different.