Lathmar Holi is a unique and colorful festival celebrated in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The name Lathmar Holi comes from the words “lath” which means stick, and “mar” meaning to hit. During this festival, women playfully beat men with sticks while singing traditional songs.
The celebration takes place a week before the main Holi festival, which marks the arrival of spring. The festivities start with a procession of Lord Krishna’s idol being taken out from the temple to Radha Rani’s temple in Barsana village. This procession is called Nandotsav and is followed by thousands of devotees.
Once at Radha Rani’s temple, women dressed in bright saris welcome men from nearby villages by beating them with sticks. They sing folk songs that describe how Lord Krishna used to tease Radha and her friends by throwing colored powder on them. Men carry shields for protection but are still expected to take some hits.
The next day, the men return to Barsana village carrying buckets full of colored water or gulal as it is known locally. Women then drench them with water and color while singing traditional songs.
Lathmar Holi celebrates love and devotion between Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha Rani. It also highlights gender equality as women are given an opportunity to playfully assert their dominance over men during this festival.
Lathmar Holi has gained popularity worldwide due to its unique style of celebrating love through playful violence between genders. It remains an important cultural event in Uttar Pradesh’s calendar year after year attracting visitors from all over India and abroad who come together in joyous celebration of this ancient Hindu tradition that continues till today.