Lathmar Holi (Barsana) 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Devotees of Radha and Krishna: Devotees of Shri Radha and Lord Krishna join this celebration and the worship of Radha Rani with deep love and joy (Prem Bhakti).
• Women of Barsana: The women of Barsana take part by playing the traditional lathi game, in keeping with the way the gopis once played Holi with Krishna and his friends.
• Families: Families celebrate it as a joyful festival of colours, songs, and togetherness.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Worship: Bathe early in the morning, during Brahma Muhurta or soon after, and offer prayers to Shri Radha and Lord Krishna.
• Temple Darshan: Visit the temple of Shri Radha Rani (Ladli Ji) in Barsana, or worship at home before the celebration. Check the darshan times for your city on this page.
• Lathmar Celebration: Held in the afternoon (Aparahna), when the men of Nandgaon come to Barsana and the women play Holi with lathis (sticks).

About the Festival

Lathmar Holi is a famous Holi celebration of Barsana, in the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, where women playfully strike the visiting men with lathis while the men shield themselves. It takes place on the Navami (ninth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Phalguna.

The Katha (Story of Krishna and the Gopis of Barsana)

Long ago, in the village of Nandgaon, there lived the young Lord Krishna, the son of Nanda and Yashoda. His beloved Radha lived in the nearby village of Barsana, and Krishna was known for his playful ways with her and her friends.

During the days of Holi, Krishna and his friends, the gwal-bals, went from Nandgaon to Barsana to play Holi with Radha and the gopis. They teased the gopis with songs and colours and made merry in the village.

The gopis, not wishing to be outdone, chased them away with sticks, laughing as they did so. In playful jest, they let the visitors know that anyone who came to their village to play Holi must be ready for their lathis. The men ran and hid behind their shields, and the play continued with songs and laughter.

The festival was loved so much that it became an annual tradition. Since that day, every year the men of Nandgaon visit Barsana to play Lathmar Holi, and the women welcome them with colours and lathis.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the puja and celebration:

• Image / Painting: Picture or idol of Shri Radha and Lord Krishna
• Colours: Gulal, Abir, and natural flower colours
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Incense sticks (Agarbatti)
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Laddu, Gujiya, Malpua, and Thandai
• Devotional Accessories: Flowers, Tulsi leaves, and Kalava (sacred thread)
• Celebration Items: Lathi (stick) and shield (Dhal) for the traditional play, and musical instruments such as Dholak and Manjira

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early, bathe, and wear clean, bright clothes (preferably white, yellow, or pink).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Shri Radha Rani and Lord Krishna, today I celebrate Holi with devotion. Bless my family with joy, love, and togetherness."
3. Keep the day pure and joyful, free of ill will, and take only simple sattvic food before the celebration.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar

1. Clean the northeastern corner (Ishan Kone) or the place where you worship.
2. Place the image of Shri Radha and Lord Krishna on a wooden stool (Chowki) covered with a clean cloth.
3. Keep a small plate of Gulal and flowers near the deity.

Step 3: Performing the Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and the incense in front of Shri Radha and Lord Krishna.
2. Applying Colour: Offer a small amount of Gulal to the deities first, and apply a gentle tilak to the family.
3. Offering Flowers & Leaves: Offer fresh flowers and Tulsi leaves to the deities.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place Laddu, Gujiya, and Malpua before the deities.

Step 4: Darshan and the Lathmar Celebration

1. If you are in Barsana, visit the temple of Shri Radha Rani (Ladli Ji) for darshan and listen to the Holi hymns (Hori and Rasiya).
2. Watch or join the celebration, in which the men of Nandgaon arrive and the women of Barsana play Holi with lathis while the men shield themselves.
3. Sing the traditional Holi songs of Radha and Krishna with music and dancing.

Step 5: Aarti and Prayers

1. Perform the Radha-Krishna Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Chant "Radhe Radhe" and "Hare Krishna" with a happy heart.
3. Offer thanks for the joy of the festival and pray for love and peace in the family.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the prasad and Thandai among family, friends, and neighbours.
3. Greet one another with colour and joy, and close the day with a simple sattvic meal.