While you are scared of getting your skin messed up by Holi colours, men and women in Barsana and Nandgaon have already smeared themselves in the colours of Lathmar Holi. The two towns located near Mathura are one of the best places in the world to experience Holi as they are associated with Lord Krishna and Radha.
So what is Lathmar Holi all about?
The tradition of Lathmar Holi is a recreation of a Hindu legend according to which, Lord Krishna, who hails from Mathura, once visited Barsana, which is the home to Radha. Following the legend, Krishna, who is known for his witty nature, teases Radha and her friends who take offense of the same.
They then chase Krishna away from Barsana. And since then, to kinda make-up with Radha and her friends, men from Mathura visits Barsana only to be greeted by lathis hurled at them by women.
The festivities of Lathmar Holi are celebrated at the sprawling campus of the Radha Rani temple in Barsana. The Radha Rani temple is said to be the only temple dedicated to Radha in the country.
Mathura dons the colours of Holi months prior to the official Holi date. During these days, Lathmar Holi is celebrated among people wherein men are dressed up in women’s cloth and have to save themselves from lathis using a shield.
Fun isn’t it?
Images Credit – Indian Eagle, News18.com, India Today
