February 24, 2010

Lathmar Holi in Barsana, India

People celebrate Lathmar Holi, a variation of the Hindu spring festival Holi in which the women beat the men with sticks

lathmar holi: Lathmar Holi in Barsana, India — Legend has it that Lord Krishna visited his beloved Radha's village on this day and playfully teased her and her friends. Taking offence, the women of Barsana chased him away. Since then, men from Krishna's village, Nandgaon, visit Barsana for Holi in the town, which has the only temple dedicated to Radha in India
Photograph: K.K. Arora/Reuters Photograph: K.K. Arora/guardian.co.uk

lathmar holi: Lathmar Holi in Barsana, India — A couple walk along the street as coloured powder or gulal is thrown
Photograph: Harish Tyagi/EPA Photograph: Harish Tyagi/guardian.co.uk

lathmar holi: lathmar holi in Barsana, India — People bang drums, dance and throw flower petals at each other
Photograph: Harish Tyagi/EPA Photograph: Harish Tyagi/guardian.co.uk

lathmar holi: Lathmar Holi in Barsana, India — People gather round to beat a drum and dance
Photograph: Harish Tyagi/EPA Photograph: Harish Tyagi/guardian.co.uk

lathmar holi: lathmar holi in Barsana, India — A man tries to protect himself with a shield as women beat him with sticks Photograph: Harish Tyagi/EPA

lathmar holi: Lathmar Holi in Barsana, India — People beat a drum and dance as they cover each other with coloured powder and flower petals
Photograph: Harish Tyagi/EPA Photograph: Harish Tyagi/guardian.co.uk

lathmar holi: lathmar holi in Barsana — A man covered in coloured powder carries a lathi stick
Photograph: HARISH TYAGI/EPA Photograph: HARISH TYAGI/guardian.co.uk

lathmar holi: Lathmar Holi in Barsana — A man protects himself with a shield as women beat him with sticks as part of the festivities
Photograph: Harish Tyagi/EPA Photograph: Harish Tyagi/guardian.co.uk

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