Lathmar Holi was celebrated with gusto in Barsana of Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. On Saturday, the gopis showered sticks on the men of Nandgaon. The devotees who participated in the Holi of Barsana said, "Once again the Holi of Dwapar era was seen in Barsana, which was played between Shri Krishna and Radha five thousand years ago. In such a situation, thousands and lakhs of devotees from every corner of the country and the world came face to face with the pure love of Radha and Shri Krishna through this Holi."

The gopis showered sticks on the warriors

The women of Barsana who came down to the streets, beat the men who had come from Nandgaon to play Holi in the guise of Krishna's friends cowherd boys with sticks. From the colorful streets of Barsana to the entire market, there was a shower of gulaal and tesu colors and there was only color everywhere. Lathmar Holi gives the message that for ages, women have been proving their power in this way on the land of India.

This is how Holi begins

This Holi starts a day before by welcoming the friend from Nandgaon with Laddoo at Radharani temple in Barsana, who comes to invite the people of Barsana to play Holi. The Huriyars of Nandgaon first reach Priya Kund situated outside the Barsana town. Where they are welcomed with Thandai and different kinds of sweets. After this, the Huriyars reach Radharani's temple wearing kurta-dhoti, a bundle of colors around their waist, a turban on their head, and a shield in their hands.

The women abuse and rain down sticks

Similarly, the women of Barsana also come down from the temple, adorned with sixteen adornments, carrying sticks in their hands. In such a situation, when the men dressed as cowherds provoke them by joking with them, they start abusing them in various ways and raining sticks on them. The entire Barsana starts resonating with the beating of sticks amidst the sweet Holi songs. Everywhere, the place starts dancing with the sound of sticks falling on the men. 

Lala, come again to play Holi

When the Huriyaras of Nandgaon accepted defeat before the Huriyarins of Barsana, they invited them to play Holi the next year, saying, 'Lala, come again to play Holi.' In the end, both sides conclude Holi by chanting Laadli Ji's praises. The Huriyaras then leave for Nandgaon. The Huriyarins of Barsana, on the other hand, reach Laadli Ji's temple singing Holi's Rasiya to inform about their victory. Now, a similar scene will be seen in Nandgaon on Sunday, where instead of Nandgaon, there will be Huriyars from Barsana and the Huriyarins will be from Nandgaon.