Lathmar Holi festival is widely celebrated all over India. The colors, music, and cheerful people made it one of the best festivals across the globe.
You might know about the colorful celebrations in Holi, but do you know it is also played with sticks?
The sticks known as Lathis are used for the celebration to beat the men. If you want to know where is Lathmar Holi celebrated and how it is celebrated, this article is for you.
Story Behind Lath Mar Holi
The story behind the Lathmar Holi takes us back to the Lord Krishna times. Lathmar Holi is most famous in Barsana, a place with religious importance.
Barsana covers Vrindavan, Mathura, and nearby areas, which is the native place of Radha and where Lord Krishna grew up.
According to legend, Krishna complained to her mother, Yashoda, about the fairness of Radha. Because of his darker skin complexion, Yashoda suggested using colors on Radha in a playful manner.
When Krishna colored Radha and her friends, popularly known as Gopis, they all started beating him playfully with sticks. It is known as the origin of the Lathmar Holi in Barsana and all over India.
Lathmar Holi in 2023
The celebration for Lathmar Holi starts almost one week before the Holi. It is a four-day celebration.
It is celebrated according to the Hindu Calendar on the full moon of the Phalguna month. Lathmar Holi will be celebrated in the first week of March as the Holi falls on 7th and 8th March 2023.
The Process of Celebration
The celebrations for Lathmar Holi start four days prior to the actual Holi celebration across the globe. Here is the complete process of celebrating Lathmar Holi:
First Day of Lathmar Holi
On the first day, men and women gather around the temples to perform rituals that start the Lathmar Holi. They play with colors and folk dance is performed.
Second Day of Lathmar Holi
On the second day, Shepherds, known as Gwalas from Nandgaon village, visit the village and play Holi with the ladies of the Barsana village. The women dress like Gopis to mark the celebrations.
Third-Day of Lathmar Holi
On the third day, Gwalas return to their native village to celebrate Holi with the local ladies. Men also visit Shri Radha Rani Temple, which is the only temple dedicated to the Radha.
The men sing songs to tease the women, and the women beat them with bamboo sticks. The men run away from Radha Rani Temple and use shields to save them from the beatings.
Women and men chant the name of Lord Krishna and Radha while playing with the colors. The men are also forced to wear feminine clothes by women.
Fourth Day of Lathmar Holi
On the last day of Lathmar Holi, women play with colors with each other. The notorious men sneak into the celebrations and play with watercolors to annoy the women. It is also the day of Holi.
Religious Importance
Since it is celebrated in the native places of Radha and Lord Krishna, it brings additional religious values. It is believed that nobody gets injured from the beating of Lathis (sticks) during the celebrations.
If someone gets injured, then they can apply the sand to the wound, which will relieve the pain immediately. Men can continue playing Holi without the fear of injuries. The blessed food known as Prasad is also distributed with devotional songs around the area.
Play Lathmar Holi in Barsana
If you are thinking of celebrating Holi in the best way possible, you can choose to visit Barsana and nearby areas. The colors and Lathis are waiting for you.
You can book outstation cab services in Jodhpur with us and enjoy hassle-free rides to the Barsana to enjoy the Lathmar Holi. We charge very reasonably and provide the best possible taxi services.
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