IN PICS | Men, Women Celebrate Lathmar Holi With Frevour In Mathura

image 1The birthplace of mythical figure and Hindu deity Krishna's beloved Radha, Barsana, sees some special celebrations during Holi. (Image: PTI)

Celebrated a few days before Holi, Lathamar means playing with sticks. In the festival, menfolk try to smear women with colour, who traditionally protect themselves with lathis or sticks. (Image: PTI)

A village just 42 kms away from Mathura, is famous fro its 'Lathmar Holi', where women shower men not with colours, but with strikes of wooden sticks. (Image: PTI)

The next day (on March 24, this year) will witnesses men drenching women in the colours of Holi, as a playful revelry unfolds. (Image: PTI)

Men use shield to protect themselves as women beat them with sticks during a ritual as part of Lathmar Holi celebrations, at Barsana in Mathura district. (Image: PTI)

Singing traditional songs like Faag Khelan Barsane Aye Hain Natwar Nand Kishor (Krishna has come to Barsana to play Holi sport), menfolk protected themselves from sticks by using improvised leather shields, a participant said on Tuesday. (Image: PTI)

It will be repeated on Wednesday with womenfolk from Barsana visiting Nandgaon, a temple priest told news agency PTI. Earlier, dressed in traditional attire, menfolk from Nandgaon received a warm welcome in Barsana. (Image: PTI)

Prior to their participation in the celebrations, they paid obeisance at the Ladli temple in the district. Meanwhile, SP (Rural) Shrish Chandra said no untoward incident took place on the occasion. (Image: PTI)

In Mathura, the festivals of Holi start seven days before the celebration. In this way, since Holi will be celebrated on March 29 this year, the festivals including the lathmar Holi began on March 22. (Image: PTI)

As per rituals, it is accepted that Radha had beaten Lord Sri Krishna with a stick after he and his companions appeared at her place soaked in colors. (Image: PTI)