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Lathmar Holi follows Laddoo Holi in Barsana

          Barsana (UP): Barsana town celebrated Laddoo Holi, and the next day the townsfolk indulged in Lathmar Holi with women chasing away the men with a stick on Sunday. In Vrindavan and Mathura, where Lord Krishna grew up, the festival is celebrated for 16 days until, until Rangpanchmi in commemoration of the divine love of Radha for Lord Krishna or 'Dhulandi', when people go around throwing coloured powder and water at each other. The legend has it that on this day Lord Krishna came to Barsana and playfully teased Radha and her friends, but was chased away by the girls. The focus of the celebrations in Barsana is Lord Krishna, the archetypal Hindu symbol of romance. People celebrated 'Laddoo Holi' in Barsana on Saturday by smearing each other with coloured powder and distributing 'laddoos' (round sweetmeat), marking the beginning of the 'Holi festival'. The residents, dressed in their colourful best and smeared in coloured powder danced and flung laddoos and other candies at one another. Barsana, about 50 kilometres from Mathura, has the distinction of having the only temple dedicated to Lord Krishna's consort Radha. "This laddoo holi is celebrated because it is believed Lord Krishna came here from his native place (Nandgoan) to play. Laddoos are distributed to mark coming of Lord Krishna to his in- laws home. Also the laddoos help get our wishes fulfilled," said Gulshan Kumar, a devotee. People from Nandgaon visit Barsana to offer sweets. Jyoti, another devotee, said: "We come from Nandgoan, as if Lord Krishna has invited us and we offer sweets". Celebrated in the month of Fagun (February-March) according to the Hindu calendar, Holi is also associated with the uninhibited expression of love and affection.
- Feb 25, 2007

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