Barsana Holi

Barsana Holi is celebrated forty-eight kilometers from Mathura at Barsana. It is also known as the famous “latthmaar Holi” of Braj.

There is a legend that Krishna from Nandagaon used to visit Barsana to play Holi with Radha, alongwith his Gopi friends.

The Gopis used to chase away the Gops of Nandagaon by beating and scaring them with “lathi”s, after the merriment got over.

Even today, the village women have the freedom to literally take up cudgels against their menfolk. They exercise this right with enthusiasm. They shower colored water on the menfolk as an expression of joy.

The principal celebrations take place at the Ladliji Temple, which is dedicated to Radharani.

Ya, I have heard about this holi. Isn't it the one where women falsely beat men with sticks? It really looks amazing. I wish I could beat up my husband once a year like that

Ya sure, i would love to do that too, sangeeta!!!!

But do you know what exactly is Barsana? Well, Barsana, the birth place of Radha, Lord Krishna’s beloved. And this place attracts a large number of visitors each year he small town of Barsana located at a distance of about 42 km from Mathura. Here Holi is also popularly known as Latthmaar Holi.

And do you know whats the best part?.. The men are unable to strike back!! All they can do is to splash colors on the women.

And what happens to the men who are caught? Oh those men who are caught are rather unfortunate. The men are forced to clad themselves in women’s clothes, apply cosmetics and dance like ladies in front of everyday.

Here comes the bad part,..Just the reverse happens on the next day. The men of Barsana drench the women!!
However everything is done in the right spirit!!


I would surely love to play this kind of holi!!