Lathmar Holi - A fight of colours.

"Sab Jag hori, ya Bruj Hori" - Surdas

Lathmaar Holi - is a celebration come fight come expression of Love between  men and women of Vraj on next day of Holika dahan.

Shree Krishna and Radhaji celebrating Holi with companions, Circa 1750, LACMA, California

Traditions are for reason

This unique celebration is done between two villages of  Barsana and Nandgaon in Uttar Pradesh. Barsana is home town of Radhaji and approximately 40kms away is Nandgao, home town to Lord Krishna.

When Lord Krishna was young he went to Barsana everyday to express his love and also to tease  Radhaji.  One day little Krishna felt a beat jealous of Radhaji and asked her mother Yashodaji that why was Radha so fair and he so black". To this Yashodaji  mischieviously replied, "If you feel so, go and colour Radha with same colour as yours". Lord krishna taking the coment seriously went to Barsana to paint Radhaji. So, In defence other Gopis came out with Laathis to beat all Gops. In order to mark this event  lathmaar holi is played in Vraj.

TOI

Lathmaar today

Men waits for women to come out and until then they play and dance on the street. When women approaches with lathis man sits down waiting for them to beat. But yeah, they arrive ful prepared with shields. As women charges laathis the safeguards their head with shield. 

Vraj is Shree Krishna's and Radhji's sacred destination so, from different places to various festivals, everything is attached to them. Whole festival of Holi is also played with same sentiments(Bhaav) in same series of events every year.

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One of the Rasiya of Holi - Aaj Biraj me hori re rasiya!

आज बिरज में होरी रे रसिया। होरी रे होरी रे बरजोरी रे रसिया।

घर घर से ब्रज बनिता आई, कोई श्यामल कोई गोरी रे रसिया। आज बिरज में…॥१॥
इत तें आये कुंवर कन्हाई, उत तें आईं राधा गोरी रे रसिया। आज बिरज में…॥२॥
कोई लावे चोवा कोई लावे चंदन, कोई मले मुख रोरी रे रसिया । आज बिरज में ॥३॥
उडत गुलाल लाल भये बदरा, मारत भर भर झोरी रे रसिया । आज बिरज में ॥४॥
चन्द्रसखी भज बाल कृष्ण प्रभु, चिर जीवो यह जोडी रे रसिया । आज बिरज में ॥५॥

So, this was briefing on Lathmar holi. Indian tradition and all rituals are just more than what you find on interent. This is  not even 1% of the actual reasons behind sentiments of following traditions. 

#keephistoryalive #rangotsav #vasantutsav