Holi 2023: The Boisterous Ritual Of Lathmar Holi At Barsana In Mathura

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The towns of Nandgaon and Barsana in Mathura Uttar Pradesh, celebrate Lathmar Holi in a very unique style, around 4-5 days before the actual Holi begins in other states. Located around 40 km away from Mathura these towns welcome the visitors to watch their attractive style of playing Holi with sticks. Lath translates to stick, and mar means beat. So you can group these words together and get an idea of what happens there. Thandai and Holi arrive almost together to refresh and cool you.

Lathmar Holi In Barsana

The venue for Lathmar Holi at Barsana is at the Radha Rani temple which is the only temple dedicated to Radha. Lathmar Holi 2023 date is March 1, March 2 and March 3. Barsana Lathmar holi is on March 1 and Nandgaon Lathmar holi is on March 2 and Lathmar holi in Janmasthan Mathura is on March 3.

Legend of Lathmar Holi

A very interesting tale is associated with the Lathmar Holi which says that Lord Krishna visited Radha at Barsana and splashed some colours in her face in good humour. Elderly women were highly infuriated with this act and send Krishna to his Nandgaon, chasing him with sticks in their hands.

This probably started the tradition of Lathmar Holi where this ancient scene is enacted in the same way itas it happened yugas ago. Every time every year, men from Nandgaon visit Barsana and the women waiting for them with sticks, duly chase them out, with lathis and colour splashes. This is the ritual.

The Ritual Of Lathmar Holi

Actually Invitations are sent by the women of Barsana along with varieities of sweets. Men and women dress up like Gopis and Gopas.

In response to the invitation, men arrive with lathis and shields in their hands for protection. Every year new techniques are employed to make the celebration interesting. Women dress up in solah shringar on this day.

The men aim at installing a flag on the temple of Radha at Barsana and claim it is theirs. Women of Barsana chase them out with bamboo sticks. Usually no one gets hurt during this festivity. Bhang and Thandai get served.

The men are also supposed to tease and irritate the ladies by singing irritating songs just to provoke them. Women respond equally well with their lathis. This makes up for all the fun and frolic in the town of Barsana. Whoever gets caught by these women while running back to Nandgaon, is made to wear a female attire and dance in public. Men take good care of themselves by wearing protective headgears to prevent from getting injured at the hands of the ladies.

To add to the excitement, chants of Radha and Krishna are done. The next day, the Barsana women visit Nandgaon and continue the festivity. Thandai, a very favourite drink made of milk and some herbs is consumed during this excitement.

Holi celebrations do not end here, they go on at the temple of Banke Bihari for over a week where Gulal and flowers are dabbed and sprinkled on visitors. The idol of Banke Bihari is dressed in white and brought near the devotees. People get thoroughly drenched, enjoy this experience, splash the colours and sway to the lively beats and music.

All this may look slightly dangerous, the beating, the chasing, etc. But this is all done carefully and in good humour. They bring out the true spirit of Mathura and immerse yourself in the colour of love by visiting this place once.

The Charming History Behind Lathmar Holi

Barsana, nandgaon and Vrindavan were the grounds where Krishna and Radha played Holi scores of years ago. Lath mar Holi is observed on the Navami and Dashami Tithi before Holi. On the ninth day, men from Nandgaon go to Barsana to play as they are already traditionally invited by the women of Barsana. On the tenth day, men of Barsana go to Nandgaon to play Holi. Finally, both men and women play Holi at the Nand Chowk.

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