A Hindu devotee is covered in coloured powder as he stands outside a temple during the religious festival of Holi in Vrindavan, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, March 8, 2017.Reuters
While the festival of Holi is still some days away, the towns of Barsana and Nandgaon in India have already smeared themselves in the colours of Lathmar Holi. It is a vibrant spring festival celebrated ahead of the Holi festival. Lathmar Holi sees women from the village of Barsana use bamboo sticks to beat men from the neighbouring village of Nandgaon. The men, in turn, tease the women and daub them with coloured powders.
The festival is said to be a recreation of a famous Hindu legend, that says that on this day Lord Krishna, who hailed from the Nandgaon village, visited his beloved Radha's town, Barsana. If legend is to be believed, Krishna teased Radha and her friends, who in turn responded by taking offence at his advances and chased him out of Barsana.
The festivities take place at the sprawling campus of the Radha Rani temple in Barsana, which is said to be the only temple in the country that is dedicated to Radha. The Lathmar Holi festivities last for over a week. The participants dance, sing and immerse themselves in colour and consume 'thandai', a traditional drink synonymous to the festival of Holi. IBTimes Singapore takes a look at some of the best pictures from the festival.
Men daubed in colours celebrate "Lathmar Holi" at Nandgaon, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.Reuters
Hindu devotees take part in the religious festival of Lathmar Holi, where women beat the men with sticks, in the town of Barsana in the Uttar Pradesh region of India.Reuters
Hindu devotees laugh as they watch the religious festival of Lathmar Holi, where women beat the men with sticks, in the town of Barsana in the Uttar Pradesh region of India.Reuters
Men blow colored powder during Holi celebrations in Barsana in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.Reuters
A woman poses for a photograph during Holi celebrations in the town of Barsana in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.Reuters
People throw coloured powder as they celebrate "Lathmar Holi" at Nandgaon, in the northern Indian state of Uttar PradeshReuters
Hindu devotees take part in the religious festival of Lathmar Holi, where women beat the men with sticks, in the town of Barsana in the Uttar Pradesh region of India.Reuters
A man dances as he celebrates "Lathmar Holi" at Barsana in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, India.Reuters
A man shields himself from a woman playfully beating him with a stick during "Lathmar Holi" at Barsana in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, India.Reuters
A man daubed in colours sings religious songs as he celebrates "Lathmar Holi" at Barsana in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, India.Reuters
People dance as others spray coloured water on them during the "Lathmar Holi" at village Nandgaon, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, India.Reuters
A veiled Hindu woman holds a bamboo stick as she celebrates "Lathmar Holi" at Nandgaon village, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, IndiaReuters
A man throws colored powder during Holi celebrations in Barsana in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.Reuters
A Hindu devotee is covered in coloured powder as he stands outside a temple during the religious festival of Holi in Vrindavan, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, March 8, 2017.Reuters
Boys spray coloured water on a girl making her way to a temple during "Lathmar Holi" at village Nandgaon in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, India.Reuters
