Unique Lathmar Holi tradition in Nandagram and Barsana

A festival where men sing provocative songs and get “beaten” by women with lathis.

In the Holi tradition which is unique to Nandagram and Barsana villages, (in the district of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh) the men-folk sing provoking songs to get noticed by women, who then “beat” them with lathis.

Women thrash men with lathis as they observe Lathmaar Holi in Barsana near Mathura. In the Lathmaar Holi, the women of Barsana (hometown of Srimati Radha Rani) hit the men from Nandagram (Krishna’s home town) with wooden sticks in response to their teasing.

Hundreds of devotees mucky with colours, dance and sing at the Nandagram temple while celebrating Lathmaar Holi.

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Devotees drenched in coloured water and gulaal powder take rest after participating in the Lathmaar festival in Nandagram.