Lathmar Holi is celebrated well before Holi festival in Barsana, Nandgaon and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the special attractions of Barsana & Mathura. Mathura region is referred to as Sri Krishna Janmabhumi, the birth place of Lord Krishna.
Thousands of people from all over India and even from other countries visit the place during Lathmar Holi to watch the celebrations.
Lathmar Holi 2021 dates:
Barsana Lathmar Holi 2021: March 23
Nandgaon Lathmar Holi 2021: March 24
Mathura Lathmar Holi 2021: March 25
There is an interesting legend mentioned in Mahabharata about Lathmar Holi. Lord Krishna visited Radha’s village and playfully teased Radha and her friends in Barsana. And they chased his away playfully. Since then, men of Nandgaon (Krishna’s village) come to Barsana and play Holi.
Thousands of devotees gather in the city to watch the Lath Mar Holi festivities in Radha Rani Temple, Barsana. Women chase down men with sticks and beat up them. Devotees sing Holi songs in Braj Bhasha and continue in colourful mood till evening. Bhang and Thandai are the most exclusive food items during Lath Mar Holi.
On the first day of Lath Mar Holi festival, men (gops) from Nandgaon come to Barsana to play Holi with ‘gopis’. The celebrations start at Radha Rani temple and the grand event of Holi is celebrated at Rang Rangeeli Gali.
On the second day, Gopis of Barsana gops from Barsana go to Nandgaon to play Holi with gopis of Nandgaon.
gujarati quotes for holi special for barsana and nandgaw