Men in colorful powder with head covered and Women’s with bamboo sticks during the "Lathmaar Holi" at Nandgaon, Mathura, India.
Men in colorful powder with head covered and Women’s with bamboo sticks during the "Lathmaar Holi" at Nandgaon, Mathura, India. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi. It takes place well before the actual Holi in the ‘Rangili Gali” of Barsana 45 kms. From Mathura in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. According to Hindu Mythology Lord Krishna visited his beloved Radha’s village on this day and playfully teased her and her friends. Taking offence at this, the women of Barsana chased him away. Since then, men from Krishna’s village, Nandgaon, visit Barsana to play Holi. Holi played at Barsana, is unique in the sense that here women chase men away with sticks. Males also sing provocative songs in a bid to invite the attention of women. Women then go on the offensive throwing colored water and vermilion powder on them and using long bamboo sticks called “Lathis” to beat playfully men folk who protect themselves with shields.
Size: 3008px × 2000px
Location: Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
Photo credit: © Anil Sharma / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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