Lathmar Holi is one of the local variations of the most famed Holi festival of India. Described as the festival of colours, Holi celebrations are very much unique in combining enthusiastic dances, cheerful moods, joyful unions, exciting colours and festive merriment all around. According to myths, Holi began in the Barsana region of India, which includes Vrindavan, Mathura, Nandgaon and Barsana. Interestingly, the festival here is celebrated with not just colors, but with lathis.  As suggested by the very name of this local variation, Holi events here is associated with sticks known as ‘Lath’ and beatings known as ‘Mar’. As per the customary practice, the women carry sticks in their hands to beat up the men whom they catch and the men have to do a lot to save themselves from the beatings from the energized and charged women folk.  Lets know the story behind this unique form of the Holi.

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Barsana is the birth place of Radha, the beloved of Sri Krishna. It is said that Krishna used to visit this place during his childhood to tease and play with Radha and other Gopis. The women from the village used to chase Krishna away in a sportive way with sticks.

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It is Lathmar Holi is actually a re-enactment of this mythological event where the folk from Nandgaon (from where Krishna came from) visit Barsana in groups to tease the women of the town by singing provocative songs and throwing colours. The women of this town beat them up with sticks. If a man is caught by a woman, he is made to wear the women costumes and dance, which is highly entertaining.