Lathmar Holi

Hindu festival in Uttar Pradesh, India

Lathmar Holi
Radharani temple, Barsana during Lathmaar Holi
Observed by	Hindus
Type	Religious, Cultural, Spring festival
Celebrations	Spraying colour powders, Playfully hurling sticks by women of Barsana on men of Nandgaon, Dancing, Greetings, Festival delicacies
Frequency	Annual
Started by	Radha Krishna
Related to	Holi

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Lathmar Holi (Holi of sticks) is a Hindu festival celebrated in the twin towns of Barsana and Nandgaon, also known as the towns of Radha and Krishna respectively. Every year, during the period of Holi, thousands of devotees and tourists visit these towns to celebrate the festival.^[1]^[2] The festivities usually last for more than a week and ends on Rang Panchami.^[3]^[4]

Origins

Associated with legend that is linked to the divine couple Radha Krishna, the festival seeks to recreate it. According to the legend, Lord Krishna who was resident of Nandgaon and considered as the son-in-law of Vrishabhanu wanted to spray the colors on his beloved Radha and her friends. But, as Krishna and his friends entered Barsana, they were playfully greeted with the sticks by Radha and her friends who drove them out of Barsana. Following the same trend, every year on the occasion of Holi, the men of Nandagaon who are treated as son-in-laws of Barsana visit Barsana and are greeted by women with colors and sticks (aka lathi).^[5] The celebration is enacted in perfect good humor by both the sides, men of Nandgaon and women of Barsana.^[6]

Gallery

Color Drenched people in Krishna Temple
Women waiting for men during lathmar
Women using lathis
Image depicting celebration of color in Barasana

References

^ "What is Lathmar Holi? Why is it celebrated?". India Today. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
^ "Lathmar Holi 2014: 12 Stunning Photos That'll Transport You To India For When It Is Spring". Huffington Post, Canada. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
^ "नंदगांव में लट्ठमार होली की उमंग". Aaj Tak, Dharma. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
^ "Radha Rani Mandir Barsana | Barsana Temple | how to reach, timings". thedivineindia.com. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
^ "What is Lathmar Holi? Why is it celebrated?". India Today. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
^ Ph.D, Lavanya Vemsani (13 June 2016). Krishna in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names. United States of America: ABC-CLIO. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-61069-211-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)