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About Lathmar Holi

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About Lathmar Holi

Lathmar Holi is the famous Holi of Braj in Uttar Pradesh, kept about a week before the main Holi. It is played in Barsana, the village of Radha, on Phalguna Shukla Navami, and in Nandgaon, the village of Krishna, the next day.

The story says young Krishna came from Nandgaon to tease Radha and her friends in Barsana, and they chased him away with sticks. Each year the men of Nandgaon come to Barsana with padded shields. The women of Barsana meet them with long bamboo sticks called lathis, and tap the shields while everyone laughs and sings.

The day before, Barsana keeps Laddu Holi at the Shri Radha Rani temple on the hill, where laddus are thrown as prasad. The narrow Rangili Gali fills with gulal, folk songs called rasiya and the sound of dhol. The next day the men of Barsana go to Nandgaon and the game is played there.

Thandai, gujiya and malpua are shared in every home. Lathmar Holi opens the Holi season of Braj, which goes on with flower Holi in Vrindavan, Holi in Mathura and the Huranga at Dauji, and pilgrims come from all over India to see it.

How people celebrate Lathmar Holi

  • Women of Barsana with long lathis
  • Men of Nandgaon with padded shields
  • Laddu Holi at the Shri Radha Rani temple
  • Gulal in the Rangili Gali
  • Rasiya songs and dhol
  • Thandai, gujiya and malpua

How to wish well

  • Lathmar Holi is all about fun and teasing, so a playful wish with Radha and Krishna fits well.
  • Friends from Braj will love a line about Barsana, Nandgaon or the Radha Rani temple.
  • You can send one wish for Lathmar Holi now and another for Holi a week later.
  • For colleagues and customers, keep it to colours, joy and good wishes.

Questions about Lathmar Holi

When is Lathmar Holi?

In Barsana on Phalguna Shukla Navami and in Nandgaon on Dashami, the next day, about a week before Holi. The date for each year is shown on this page.

Why is it called Lathmar Holi?

Lath or lathi means a stick. Women of Barsana playfully tap the shields of the men from Nandgaon with long sticks, so it is the Holi of sticks.

What is the story behind Lathmar Holi?

Krishna and his friends came from Nandgaon to tease Radha and her friends in Barsana, who chased them away with sticks. The game is played the same way each year.

Where is Lathmar Holi played?

In Barsana and Nandgaon, two villages in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, in the Braj region.

What is Laddu Holi?

Laddu Holi is held at the Shri Radha Rani temple in Barsana the day before Lathmar Holi. Laddus are thrown and shared as prasad with songs and colours.

What food is made for Lathmar Holi?

Thandai, gujiya, malpua and other sweets of Braj are made and shared, just like on Holi.

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