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Barsana celebrates ‘Latha-maar’ Holi
The festivity began in Barsana on Thursday with celebration of Laddoo Holi at Ladliji Temple. Devotees vied with each other to grab the ‘laddoo’ thrown in the air as per tradition. This Laddoo Holi is celebrated a day prior to Latha-maar Holi in Barsana.
Agra All roads in Mathura appeared to be heading towards Barsana, the village of Radha and visitors thronged Ladliji Temple or Radha Rani Temple located on a hillock, as it was time for the famous ‘Latha-maar’ Holi in this village on Friday.
The festivity began in Barsana on Thursday with celebration of Laddoo Holi at Ladliji Temple. Devotees vied with each other to grab the ‘laddoo’ thrown in the air as per tradition. This Laddoo Holi is celebrated a day prior to Latha-maar Holi in Barsana.
As per the tradition, Radha’s ‘sakhis’ (friends) from Barsana reached Nandgaon (village of Krishna) on Thursday and invited villagers for ‘Latha-maar’ celebrations on Friday. Then celebrations started with ‘Laddoo’ Holi at Ladliji temple and devotees were showered with sweets and colours amid singing of traditional songs.
On Friday, the ‘gop’ (Krishna’s friends) reached Barsana and protected themselves with ‘dhal’ (shield) and ‘pag’ (headgear) against the ‘lathi’ (baton) of the ‘gopis’ (Radha’s friends) during ‘Latha-maar’ Holi. The occasion was celebrated with colours, sweets, songs and dances.
Rangili Gali was the focal point in Barsana all through the day and every visitor made sure to reach there to have ‘lathi’ from ‘gopi’ from Barsana, the host town.
On Saturday, the ‘gopis’ of Barsana will visit Nandgaon, when the ‘Latha-maar’ Holi festivities will take place in Krishna’s village.
