Mathura, February 27: The festival of Holi is approaching, but in Braj, this celebration is not just a day; it is a grand event filled with faith and traditions, starting from Basant Panchami and continuing for nearly 40 days in various traditional ways.
One of the traditional forms of Holi, Lathmar Holi, was celebrated with great fervor in Barsana on Thursday. On this special occasion, the women of Barsana donned the attire of Radha’s friends and entered Nandgaon to receive gifts known as Phagua. Meanwhile, the men of Nandgaon engaged in Lathmar Holi with the women who had come from Barsana.
According to tradition, as the women from Barsana entered Nandgaon, the entire area was filled with the vibrant colors of Radha and Krishna’s playful antics. The atmosphere was infused with devotion and love.
The men of Nandgaon welcomed them in the form of Krishna, and then the festivities began at the historic Nand Chowk and Rangili Chowk. Amidst the beats of drums and the singing of traditional songs, colored powders flew, symbolic teasing took place, and the air resonated with chants of “Radhe-Radhe” and “Shyam.”
This unique tradition is a living example of Braj’s cultural heritage, showcasing a blend of love, humor, and devotion.
The men and women from Nandgaon and Barsana expressed their joy to the news agency, stating, “The men of Nandgaon came to play Lathmar Holi with the women of Barsana. This experience is truly beautiful. It feels like the deities have come here to celebrate Holi with us. It seems that Thakur Ji and Shri Ji are all together enjoying the festival.”
To participate in the world-famous Lathmar Holi festival, most participants donned traditional attire. Women and girls were seen in colorful ghagras and cholis, resembling Radha Rani, with their heads covered in dupattas while holding sticks. The men appeared in kurtas with traditional headgear and shields.
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