In what is known as the hub of holi in India -
Barsana, Holi
is known as Lathmaar Holi. Sounds violence?? There is more violece than the
name signals off. The stick is in the hands of the women on this day and the
men need to work a lot to save themselves from the immensely charged up
womenfolk.
The birth place of Lord Krishna's beloved Radha, Barsana celebrates Holi
with extreme enthusiasm as Krishna was famous for playing pranks on Radha
and gopis. In fact, it was Krishna who started the tradition of colours by
first applying colour on Radha's face.
Womenfolk, of Barsana it seems, after thousands of centuries want to take a
sweet revenge of that prank of Krishna. Even men have not left their
mischief and are still eager to apply colour on the women of Barsana.
Following the tradition, men of
Nandgaon, the birthplace of
Krishna, come to play Holi with the girls of Barsana, but instead of colours
they are greeted with sticks.
Completely aware of what welcome awaits them in Barsana, men come fully
padded and try their best to escape from the spirited women. Men are not
supposed to retaliate on the day. The unlucky ones are forcefully led away
and get a good thrashing from the women. Further, they are made to wear a
female attire and dance in public. All in the spirit of Holi.
The next day, it is the turn of men of Barsana. They reciprocate by
invading Nandgaon and drench the womenfolk of Nandgaon in colours of
kesudo,
naturally occurring orange-red dye and
palash. This day, women
of Nadagow beat the invaders from Barsana. It is a colourful site.
