Lath-mar Holi Barsana

I love Holi in the Braj region. I have been celebrating it in Vrindavan for several years. You can enjoy Holi in the Braj region even if you’re travelling alone unlike most other places. This year I wanted to visit Barsana for Lath-mar Holi. I live in Delhi and travelling to Barsana from Delhi is quiet easy.

Most of Braj including Barsana and Vrindavan & Mathura is quite easy on the pocket. Public transport and lodging are cheap and if you’re not particularly finicky about food, you may find good food for - free.

The nearest railway station to Barsana is Mathura Junction. I took a train from Delhi to Mathura and then traveled to Barsana in a Bus.

Barsana when compared to the twin towns of Mathura and Vrindavan is quite small. To avoid traffic jams buses were banned from entering the town and they dropped me off about a kilometre from the town. I like walking and didn’t mind.

Once there, you may take the Parikrama-marg. The Parikrama-marg takes you through the entire town. It takes you through neighbourhoods, markets and the town square; through various temples and an ancient looking pond. You get to meet a lot of people along the way on a festival like Holi.

As per an ancient Hindu tradition, men from Nandgaon travel to Barsana a week before Holi. After Barsana, Lath-mar is again celebrated at Nandgaon the very next day.

Lath-mar Holi is celebrated around evening at the main market. If you’re planning to visit, make sure you find a proper place to stand and watch the spectacle unfold. The higher you stand, the better. Try convincing nearby houses to accommodate you in their balconies or terraces. Women draped in beautiful red sarees first visit the temple. On their return they playfully beat men with sticks and men have to protect themselves with shields.

I left a little early around 6pm as I had to get back to Mathura and catch my train to Delhi. As always, it rained in Mathura.