If you’re visiting Uttar Pradesh, Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon must be on your agenda. This vibrant celebration, a precursor to the grand festival, is a few days before the main event. Unlike the usual colour play, here women playfully tease men with sticks—Lath Holi, don’t you know! According to mythology, it is a re-enactment of the mythological prank of Lord Krishna’s visit to Radha’s village. The festival is a riot of colours, music, and laughter, and attracts visitors from far and wide. Many Mathura travel packages offer this once-in-a-lifetime experience, so book in advance. Whether you’re shopping for Uttar Pradesh travel packages or solo, Lathmar Holi guarantees a memorable cultural experience steeped in fun and festivity!
If you’ve ever wished to witness a festival that mixes mythology, colour, and good-natured competition, Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon is the one to witness. The history of Lath Holi dates back to the naughty ways of Lord Krishna. Krishna and his friends allegedly used to visit Barsana to tease Radha and the Gopis playfully, showering them with colours. The women retaliated by playfully chasing them away with sticks, and the stage was set for this strange tradition. Even today, Barsana women “attack” the Nandgaon men with wooden sticks, and the men try to defend themselves. This colourful spectacle is a must-see, and many Mathura holiday packages include it as a highlight. Whether you’re travelling in the region on your own or choosing from Uttar Pradesh tour packages, witnessing Lathmar Holi will transport you directly into the heart of India’s rich cultural and mythological heritage.
If you’re planning to experience Lathmar Holi, mark your calendar for March 2025! This vibrant celebration takes place before the main Holi festival in Mathura and its surrounding villages. The enjoyment starts on 8 March 2025 in Barsana, where females chase males with sticks. Then, on 9 March 2025, there is an extravagant celebration at Nandgaon. Most of the Mathura tour packages and Uttar Pradesh tour packages provide this experience, so you can easily watch this historical event live!
If you imagine that Holi is all about drenching others with colours, wait until you witness Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon! This festival gives the Holi celebration a whole new meaning with good-natured competition, convention, and splendour of colours.
The celebration starts in Barsana, the village of Radha. On this day, the men of Krishna’s village, Nandgaon, descend upon the Radhikaji Temple, preparing for a battle. Their aim? To venture into the temple. But here’s the twist—the women of Barsana, with wooden sticks in hand, block their path! The men, attempting to avoid the hits, cover themselves with shields, but when caught, they are dressed as women and forced to dance, putting a humour twist to the tradition. The air is charged with laughter, music, and smoke of Lath Holi colours.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there! The following day is a role reversal. The Barsana men go to Nandgaon, and there the women wait to return the favour with their sticks. In addition to the playful whippings, the streets erupt in splashes of colourful gulal (coloured powder), music, and dance. Natural dyes from Kesudo and Palash flowers fill the air, providing a breath-taking spectacle.
Most Mathura tour packages feature Lathmar Holi as a highlight, and you get to experience this special tradition firsthand. If you are going on a trip, booking with Uttar Pradesh tour packages guarantees that you don’t miss this amazing event. Believe me, Lathmar Holi is not a festival—it’s an experience that will leave you amazed at India’s rich culture and mythology!
If you believe that Lathmar Holi in Mathura is all about colours and lighthearted stick fights, wait until you sample its celebratory food! The streets are filled with the smell of lip-smacking sweets and savouries, making Holi a sensory feast. Gujiya, a deep-fried, flaky dumpling filled with khoya and dry fruits, is one of the delicacies you simply cannot miss. Malpuas, syrupy pancakes that dissolve in your mouth, round out the festive splurge. But the essence of Holi is found in thandai—a cold, spiced milk beverage flavoured with saffron, cardamom, and a nuttiness. And for the daring, try the special one with a touch of bhang, a local custom that adds a little kick to the celebration! Most Mathura tour packages and Uttar Pradesh tour packages provide an opportunity to relish these true goodies, so that you don’t only get to see Lath Holi, but also experience it!
Experiencing Lathmar Holi is like living a legend, where tradition, colours, and friendly competition come alive! To see this unforgettable event, book SOTC Uttar Pradesh tour packages or Mathura tour packages. Don’t read or listen to Lath Holi—be there!
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