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Radha’s revenge on Lathmar Holi

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'Lath mar Holi' takes place well before the actual Holi celebration. It takes place at Barsana near Mathura in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Legend has it that Lord Krishna visited his beloved Radha's village on this day and playfully teased her and her friends. Taking offence at this, the women of Barsana chased him away. Since then, men from Krishna's village, Nandgaon, visit Barsana to play Holi in the town which has the distinction of having the only temple dedicated to Radha in India

‘Lathmar Holi’ takes place well before the actual Holi celebration. Photo by: Vipin Kumar
Holi played at Barsana is unique in the sense that here women chase men away with sticks. Males also sing provocative songs in a bid to invite the attention of women. Women then go on the offensive and use long staves called

It takes place at Barsana near Mathura in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Photo by: Vipin Kumar

Legend has it that Lord Krishna visited his beloved Radha's village on this day and playfully teased her and her friends.

Legend has it that Lord Krishna visited his beloved Radha’s village on this day and playfully teased her and her friends. Photo by: Vipin Kumar

Taking offence at this, the women of Barsana chased him away. Since then, men from Krishna's village, Nandgaon, visit Barsana to play Holi in the town which has the distinction of having the only temple dedicated to Radha in India

Taking offence at this, the women of Barsana chased him away. Since then, men from Krishna’s village, Nandgaon, visit Barsana to play Holi in the town which has the distinction of having the only temple dedicated to Radha in India. Photo by: Vipin Kumar

Holi played at Barsana is unique in the sense that here women chase men away with sticks. Males also sing provocative songs in a bid to invite the attention of women.

Holi played at Barsana is unique in the sense that here women chase men away with sticks. Males also sing provocative songs in a bid to invite the attention of women. Photo by: Vipin Kumar

Women then go on the offensive and use long staves called

Women then go on the offensive and use long staves called “lathis” to beat men folk who protect themselves with shields. Photo by: Vipin Kumar

The birth place of Lord Krishna's beloved Radha, Barsana celebrates Holi with extreme enthusiasm as Krishna was famous for playing pranks on Radha and gopis.

The birth place of Lord Krishna’s beloved Radha, Barsana celebrates Holi with extreme enthusiasm as Krishna was famous for playing pranks on Radha and gopis. Photo by: Vipin Kumar

The birth place of Lord Krishna's beloved Radha, Barsana celebrates Holi with extreme enthusiasm as Krishna was famous for playing pranks on Radha and gopis.

The birth place of Lord Krishna’s beloved Radha, Barsana celebrates Holi with extreme enthusiasm as Krishna was famous for playing pranks on Radha and gopis. Photo by: Vipin Kumar

Devotees throw colors at each other during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana.

Devotees throw colors at each other during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana. Photo by: Vipin Kumar

During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana attack the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their efforts to put color on them.

During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana attack the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their efforts to put color on them. Photo by: Vipin Kumar

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Posted by HT Editorials on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 10:28 pm 
Filed under Photogallery · Tagged , , ,

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5 Responses to “Radha’s revenge on Lathmar Holi”

  1. Sana Says:
    April 9th, 2009 at 9:21 am

    That’s quite a “colourfully enjoyable” post! Happy Blogging:)

    [Reply]

  2. Tarun Says:
    April 9th, 2009 at 11:01 am

    I have enjoyed this once.
    Its really awesome.

    Keep posting such blogs!!

    [Reply]

  3. Vikram Says:
    April 9th, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    Isnt it such an endearing tradition. one of the things I like about hindu traditions is the affection we have for our Gods which is reflected through the many festivals and such events that we celebrate throughout the year acorss the country. Do you know that at Pandharpur, the abode of Lord Vitthal, the tradition is to press the feet of Vithoba since he his tired from standing on the brick waiting for his devotee.

    [Reply]

  4. NEETY Says:
    April 9th, 2009 at 4:18 pm

    lovely pics of holi.

    [Reply]

  5. Vivek Says:
    October 14th, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    I felt the lathi .. beautifully taken..

    [Reply]

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