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Lathmar Holi: Women beat their men-folk

          Barsana (Uttar Pradesh): In Barsana village of Uttar Pradesh, playing 'Lathmar Holi' with staves women chased away men-folk, beating them with the sticks. The residents dressed in their colourful outfits and smeared in coloured powder, danced, offered prayers and sang folk songs, celebrating the legendary romance of Krishna and his consort Radha. "Lathmar Holi is an old tradition of ours. Lord Krishna is from Nandgaon and Radha is from here (Barsana). We come here to play holi every year. We just played it near the temple," said Ram Khilari, a devotee. Girdhali Lal, a member of the organising committee said thousands of devotees have gathered to be a part of the festival. "Every inch of land or space is filled with devotees. The colours being made out of 'Tesu' flower by Brahmins," Lal said. The women go on offensive and use long sticks or staves called 'lathis' to beat off men-folk who protect themselves with shields. Barsana, about 50 kilometres from Mathura, has the distinction of having the only temple dedicated to Radha in India. The legend has it that on this day Lord Krishna came to Barsana and playfully teased Radha and her friends but he was chased away by the girls. Holi, the festival of colours, will be celebrated in different parts of the country on March 4.
- Feb 26, 2007

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