During the vibrant Lathmar Holi festival, local women have a special time to “take action” against men.
According to DW (Germany), the Lathmar Holi festival, celebrated by Hindus, is held annually in the towns of Barsana and Nandgaon in Uttar Pradesh.
Participants of Lathmar Holi. (Photo: AFP).
Lathmar Holi originates from the legend of the Hindu god Krishna, who visits his beloved Radha in Barsana. Krishna wishes to throw colored powder at Radha and her friends during the Holi festival to tease them. However, Radha playfully drives him away with a stick. Thus, every year during the Holi festival, men from Nandgaon come to Barsana, shielding themselves with shields to be playfully hit by local women wielding sticks.
Men gather at the Radha Rani temple in Barsana, singing sometimes provocative songs that annoy the women, leading them to strike back with their sticks. (Photo: AFP)
This festival is believed to have health benefits as the colored powder used is a traditional herbal remedy called gula, often used to treat colds and fevers. People commonly use gula during the transitional weather of spring. (Photo: Reuters)
However, many festival participants today report that the colored powder is no longer made from gula, with many places using synthetic colors that cause skin and eye allergies. (Photo: Reuters)
This year’s Lathmar Holi festival was held on March 11. (Photo: Reuters)
For many Hindus in India, the Holi powder throwing festival is one of the most significant cultural events of the year. (Photo: AFP)
