Mathura: The people of the north Indian town of Barsana and adjoining villages on Saturday (March 19) celebrated the Hindu festival of Holi with traditional gaiety and fervour - a week before it is played in the rest of India. Men and women in traditional costumes took out a colourful procession in this town, the land of Lord Krishna, while sprinkling colours at each other. Revellers sang folk songs and danced in groups to celebrate the legendary "Rasa Leela" or romance of Lord Krishna with Radha. Krishna is the archetypal Hindu god of Romance and the only incarnation of god as a common village shepherd.

Residents of Barsana and adjoining villages of Uttar Pradesh celebrating the festival of colours, Holi, on Saturday (March 19).

  Holi played at Barsana, 50 km from the main city of Mathura, is unique in a sense as women chase away men by beating them with sticks. Celebrating an age-old tradition, people from neighbouring towns and villages come and sing provocative songs to invite the attention of women. The women go on the offensive and use long sticks or staves called "lathis" to beat off menfolk who protect themselves with shields, marking the re-enactment of the age-old tradition a fun-filled time for everybody. This particular sequence gives Holi festival in Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna, the appelation of "Lathmar" or Holi with staves.

Residents of Vrindavan smearing colours on two people dressed as Radha and Lord Krishna celebrating Holi.

     Legend has it that Hindu god Krishna visited his beloved Radha's village on this day and playfully teased her and her friends. Taking offence at this, the women of Barsana chased him away. Following that legend, men from Krishna's village, Nandgaon, visit Barsana to play Holi. Visitors said they enjoyed every moment of this tradition. "I have never seen such a Holi before. It's very nice. It feels as if we are transformed back to the era of Lord Krishna," said Hemlata, a tourist. Barsana has the distinction of having the only Radha temple in India. The festival of colours, Holi, is celebrated a week later in the rest of India.
Mar 26, 2005