Laddoo-mar Holi: Barsana readies for a season of love

Come Holi, Barsana near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh bursts into an array of colour. Seen here, devotees smeared with gulal (colour) during Laddoo Holi at Sriji temple, Barsana on Thursday. (PTI)

Updated on: Mar 17, 2016 6:14 PM IST

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Come Holi, Barsana near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh bursts into an array of colour. Seen here, devotees smeared with gulal (colour) during Laddoo Holi at Sriji temple, Barsana on Thursday. (PTI)

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Devotees try to catch laddoos (sweets) thrown at them at Radha Rani temple in Barsana. The occasion marks the beginning of Holi festivities. Holi falls on March 23, 2016. (AFP)

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Devotees sing hymns in Barsana. (PTI)

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Barsana’s temples come alive as priests throw laddoos at devotees, followed by gulal. Seen here, devotees toss gulal at Sriji temple, Barsana. (PTI)

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A few days later comes Lath-mar Holi. Tradition has it that folks from Nandgaon (from Lord Krishna’s cowherd clan) would visit Radha’s hometown, Barsana, where women (gopis) would chase them away with lathis (sticks). (AFP)

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The next day when the women would flock in to Nandgaon, the menfolk would return the favour by throwing colour (gulal) at them. (REUTERS)

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Devotees covered in gulal during the Holi festivities at the Radha Rani temple in Barsana on March 16, 2016. (AFP)

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While Holi has become a pan-Indian festival now, the hub remains in places associated with the Krishna lore--Vrindavan, Mathura, Barsana and neighbouring villages. (AFP)