Women holding sticks (Lathi) ritually beat Hindu men during the Lathmar Holi Festival. The Lathmar Holi festival is based on a Hindu legend, according to which Lord Krishna travelled from his home village of Nandgaon to Barsana to tease his lover Radha. Radha and her entourage took offense at his advances and drove Krishna out of the village. Today the legend is celebrated at the Radha Rani temple in Barsana. Each year, men from Nandgaon travel to Barsana where they are greeted by women wielding lathis (sticks) - hence the name Lathmar holi. The festivities last for over a week during which participants throw coloured powders and liquids at each other and drink copious amounts of a traditional brew called Thandai.
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