Revelling in Holi spirit, women beat men with sticks in UP

Hindu pilgrims and tourists thronged Barsana town of Uttar Pradesh and witnessed the rare spectacle of hundreds of village women revellers chasing and beating men with wooden sticks as part of the customary celebrations of Holi.

Men donning colourful turbans and dressed in traditional attire were daubed in herbal colours.

Celebrating a unique age-old tradition, men from neighbouring towns and villages flocked to Barsana, geared with shields, and sang provocative songs to invite the attention of women.

The women, draped in vibrant saris, then go on the offensive and use long staves called 'laathis' to beat the men, who protect themselves with shields.

The revellers sprayed and sprinkled colours at each other during the colourful processions taken out on the streets.

"I have come here for the first time from Delhi. Nowhere in the world is Holi celebrated the way it is celebrated here. It is a wonderful experience and the pleasure of coming here is unique, which makes this Holi very special," said a devotee, Aditi Mishra.

Revellers were also offered "bhang", a drink made of cannabis.

"Men here represent friends of Lord Krishna and the tradition of playing 'Lathmar Holi' is 5,240 years old. Barsana is the hometown Lord Krishna's in-laws and the experience of playing Holi here is priceless," said another devotee, Ramesh Kumar, in Varanasi.