Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
The “Lathmar Holi” Hindu festival takes place in the Northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh today. Six days before India’s main Holi festival, famous for devotees throwing coloured powder at each other, the festival is a unique celebration to Barsana and Nandgaon villages. Here men sing provocative songs to gain the attention of women, who then “beat” them with bamboo sticks called “lathis”.
Click here or 'view gallery' to see images selected by Associate Picture Editor Ivy Lahon
Legend proclaims that Hindu God Lord Krishna visited his partner Radha’s village on this day to tease her. Radha’s friends, the women of Barsana taking offence then chased Krishna out of the village using sticks. Since then the men of Nandgaon village annually visit the women of Barsana to pay homage to this sacred story. Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, heralds the beginning of spring and is celebrated all over India.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments