Holi is celebrated in celebrated in diverse forms in various parts of India. A 10-day Holi celebration called ‘Braj Ki Holi’ begins way ahead of the main Holi festivities.
Lathmar Holi is mainly celebrated in Barsana. It takes its cue from the legend of Shri Krishna, who used to get playfully beaten by Radha Rani and the gopis with sticks when he smeared them with colors.
This year, Lathmar Holi will be celebrated on March 18.
History of ‘Lathmar Holi’
According to legends, Lord Krishna asked Maiyya Yashoda why he was dark, whereas Radha was fair. Maiyya Yashoda laughed and jokingly told him to paint Radha’s face with color to match his skin tone. Lord Krishna took his mother’s comment seriously and smeared Radha Rani’s face with colors, which started the celebration of Braj Ki Holi.
Braj ki Holi celebrations, March 2024
‘Laddoo Holi’ falls on March 17. Here, women fling laddoos at men, symbolizing Kord Krishna getting teased by Gopis.
March 18 marks the celebration of ‘Lathmar Holi’ in Barsana, where men from nearby towns, especially Mathura, visit Barsana, and women beat them with sticks playfully.
March 19, ‘Lathmar Holi’ will be observed in Nandgaon. Here, men from Barsana visit Nandgaon and tease the women with sticks. The women, in response, chase them away with sticks, depicting the playful pastimes of Lord Krishna and the gopis.
On March 20, ‘Phoolwali Holi’ will be celebrated at Banke Bihari Temple. In this tradition, flowers are hurled at people instead of colors.
March 21 will mark the beginning of Chhadi Mar Holi in Gokul, and the tradition is similar to that of Lathi Mar Holi.
On March 23, Widow’s Holi is held for the women staying in Vrindavan ashrams who have lost their husbands. The women participate in the vibrant festivities by smearing each other with colors.
On March 24, Holika Dahan will be celebrated, which marks the victory of Prahlad over Holika.
Finally, on March 25, ‘Holi’ will be celebrated in Mathura and Vrindavan, where the priests sprinkle gulal on the devotees.
A day after Holi, ‘Huranga Holi’ is celebrated at Dauji Temple, where men pour colored water on women, and the women playfully snatch off their shirts.
