Lathmar Holi (Holi of sticks) is a
Hindu
Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
festival celebrated in the twin towns of
Barsana and
Nandgaon, also known as the towns of
Radha and
Krishna
Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...
respectively. Every year, during the period of
Holi
Holi (), also known as the Festival of Colours, the Festival of Spring, and the Festival of Love,The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) p. 874 "Holi /'həʊli:/ noun a Hindu spring festival ...". is an ancient Hindu religious festival ...
, thousands of devotees and tourists visit these towns to celebrate the festival. The festivities usually last for more than a week and ends on
Rang Panchami
Rang Panchami (literally colour on the fifth) is a Hindu festival celebrated on Phalguna Krushnapaksha Panchami, that is the fifth day of the second fortnight of the month of Phalguna.
On the day of this festival, children in Maharashtra state p ...
.
Origins
Associated with legend that is linked to the divine couple
Radha Krishna
Radha-Krishna ( IAST , sa, राधा कृष्ण) are collectively known within Hinduism as the combined forms of feminine as well as the masculine realities of God. Krishna and Radha are the primeval forms of God and his pleasure pote ...
, the festival seeks to recreate it. According to the legend, Lord Krishna who was resident of
Nandgaon and considered as the son-in-law of
Vrishabhanu
Vrishabhanu ( sa, वृषभानु; IAST: ) also spelled as Brushabhanu was a distinguished Yadava chieftain. He was the father of goddess Radha who was the incarnation of goddess Lakshmi in Dwapar Yuga. According to Sanskrit scripture Pad ...
wanted to spray the colors on his beloved Radha and her friends. But, as Krishna and his friends entered
Barsana, they were playfully greeted with the sticks by Radha and her friends who drove them out of Barsana. Following the same trend, every year on the occasion of Holi, the men of Nandagaon who are treated as son-in-laws of Barsana visit Barsana and are greeted by women with colors and sticks (aka ''lathi''). The celebration is enacted in perfect good humor by both the sides, men of Nandgaon and women of Barsana.
Gallery
Samaj gathering during Lathmar hoil.jpg, Color Drenched people in Krishna Temple
Lathmar Women.jpg, Women waiting for men during lathmar
Latmar women in action in Barsana.jpg, Women using lathis
Spherical Colors.jpg, Image depicting celebration of color in Barasana
See also
*
Holi
Holi (), also known as the Festival of Colours, the Festival of Spring, and the Festival of Love,The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) p. 874 "Holi /'həʊli:/ noun a Hindu spring festival ...". is an ancient Hindu religious festival ...
*
Radha Krishna
Radha-Krishna ( IAST , sa, राधा कृष्ण) are collectively known within Hinduism as the combined forms of feminine as well as the masculine realities of God. Krishna and Radha are the primeval forms of God and his pleasure pote ...
*
Barsana
*
Nandgaon
*
Radha Rani Temple
Shri Radha Rani Temple, also called Shriji (Shreeji) Temple and Shri Laadli Lal Temple, is a Hindu temple, located in Barsana in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Radha. Barsana is believed to be h ...
References
External links
Lord Krishna's land rocks to beats of Holi
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lathmar Holi
Religious festivals in India
Festivals in Uttar Pradesh
Tourist attractions in Mathura district
Holi
Mathura district
Spring traditions
Spring festivals