Holi, the festival of colors has its own regional variations. Apart from the typical Holi celebration, each region has their typical rituals. One such interesting ritual is seen in the villages of Barsana and Nandaon near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, called ‘Lathmar Holi’; literally translates to “hitting with lathi”.
Barsana, the birth place of Lord Krishna’s beloved Radha. Lord Krishna being dark in complexion applied color on Radha’s face, as she was fair. Thus began the festival of colors.
Legend has it that one day Lord Krishna was playfully teasing Radha and her friend ‘gopis’. The women took offence and chased Lord Krishna and his friends away by running after them with lathis.
Since then, the tradition is being followed in Barsana where men come from the neighboring town of Nandgaon to apply color to women of Barsana and are chased away. The men come equipped with shields for protection. This takes place in the sprawling campus of the Radha-Rani or Ladli temple.
In this mock battle, the men try their best to not get captured, but the unlucky ones are forcefully led away and get a good thrashing from the women. Further, they are made to wear female attire and dance in public. All in the spirit of Holi.
By: Archa Dave
