Barsana Lathmaar Holi is a unique celebration of the Holi festival that takes place in the town of Barsana, located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
The celebration is centered around the Radha Rani Temple, which is believed to be the birthplace of Radha, Lord Krishna’s beloved.
The Barsana Lathmaar Holi celebration takes place a few days before the main Holi Festival. Usually Barsana Lathmaar Holi Festival is celebrated in the month of March.
During this celebration, women from Barsana and surrounding villages playfully beat men from neighboring village of Nandgaon with sticks or “lathis” as they try to reach the temple.
Story behind it is that Lord Krishna, who was from the village of Nandgaon, would visit Radha’s village of Barsana during Holi. He will playfully tease Radha and her friends. In retaliation, the women of Barsana would chase the men away with sticks.
Today, the tradition continues with the women of Barsana playfully beating the men with sticks. While the men try to protect themselves with shields. The celebration is accompanied by the singing of traditional Holi songs, dancing, and the throwing of colored powder.
The Barsana Lathmaar Holi celebration has become a popular tourist attraction. It’s Drawing visitors from around the world who come to witness the unique and colorful celebration.
Lathmar Holi Date 2024
Barsana Laddu Holi will be celebrated at Sri Ji Temple on 17-18 March 2024.
From next day Barsana Lathmar Holi Festival will start from 18-20 March 2024.
Holi/Dulhandi Celebration is on 25 March 2024
Lathmar Holi is Celebrated in Which City?
Lathmar Holi is played in Barsana, Mathura.
How Barsana Lathmaar Holi celebrated?
The celebration starts with a procession of people carrying flags and idols of Radha and Krishna, who are the central figures of the celebration. The procession leads to the Radha Rani Temple, which is considered to be the birthplace of Radha. Once the procession reaches the temple, the women of Barsana, dressed in colorful saris, begin the Lathmaar Holi ritual.
During the ritual, women playfully hit men from the neighboring village of Nandgaon with sticks or “lathis” as they try to reach the temple. The men try to protect themselves by using shields, but they are often outnumbered by the women. The men are not allowed to retaliate and can only try to dodge the blows.
The celebration is accompanied by the singing of traditional Holi songs, dancing, and the throwing of colored powder. After the Barsana Lathmaar Holi ritual is over, everyone joins in a feast of traditional Holi sweets and savories.
The Barsana Lathmaar Holi celebration has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world who come to witness the unique and colorful celebration. It is also seen as a symbol of the strength and independence of women in Indian culture.
When Barsana Lathmaar Holi celebration started?
The Barsana Lathmaar Holi celebration is believed to have originated around 5,000 years ago in the town of Barsana. According to Hindu mythology, the celebration started when Lord Krishna, who was from the neighboring village of Nandgaon, visited Barsana, the birthplace of his beloved Radha, during the Holi festival. As part of the playful banter between Radha and Krishna, Radha and her friends playfully hit Krishna and his friends with sticks, and this act of playfulness evolved into the Lathmaar Holi tradition that is observed in Barsana to this day.
Over time, the tradition of Lathmaar Holi in Barsana has become a significant cultural and religious event, attracting people from all over the world who come to witness the unique and colorful celebration. The Barsana Lathmaar Holi celebration has also become a symbol of the strength and independence of women in Indian culture, who participate in the ritual by playfully hitting the men with sticks.
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How to reach Barsana to celebrate Holi Festial?
Barsana Lathmaar Holi is a popular celebration that takes place in the town of Barsana in Uttar Pradesh, India. The town is well connected by road, rail, and air. Visitors can easily reach Barsana from major cities in India.
By Road:
Barsana is located about 145 km from Delhi and 42 km from Mathura. Visitors can hire taxis, buses, or private cars from Delhi or Mathura to reach Barsana. The journey takes about 3-4 hours from Delhi and 1-2 hours from Mathura.
By Train:
The nearest railway station to Barsana is Mathura Junction. This is well-connected to major cities in India. From Mathura, visitors can hire taxis or take buses to reach Barsana.
By Air:
The nearest airport to Barsana is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Which is well-connected to major cities in India and around the world. From the airport, visitors can hire taxis or take buses to reach Barsana.
Once in Barsana, visitors can participate in the Lathmaar Holi celebration. Lathmaar Holi takes place a few days before the main Holi festival.
The Radha Rani Temple, which is the center of the celebration, is located in the heart of the town. Anyone can easily reach there on foot. It is advisable to wear comfortable clothes and shoes and take precautions to protect your belongings during the celebration.
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