Holika and Lathmar Holi

Posted by Harsh Nevatia Mar 3, 2007

First of all I wish all the readers a Happy Holi. Holi is the festival of colors that is played all over India and by people of Indian origin all over the world by applying colors on each other. There are some lesser-known aspects of Holi that are the subject of this blog.

Holi derives its name from the she-demon Holika. Holika was the sister of Hiranyakashipu, the king of the demons. His son Prahlad was a religious person devoted to Vishnu. After attempts to convert Prahlad to the ways of the demons failed, Hiranyakashipu decided to have him killed. It was decided that Holika would take her nephew and enter a burning pyre. She would use her magical skills to protect her, but Prahlad would be burnt alive. But who can harm the one who the Gods protect. The reverse happened. Holika was burnt to death and Prahlad emerged from the flames unscathed. On Holi eve a pyre made of cow dung, representing Holika, is prepared and set fire at the auspicious time amid much rejoicing. This ritual is as much a part of Holi as playing with colors.

The second event is a special type of Holi known as lathmar Holi, played in the region of Braj. Krishna was from a village known as Nandgaon and his beloved Radha was from Barsana. Legend has it that every Holi Krishna and his mates would go to Barsana and drench the gopis, or maidens, with color. Once the gopis were prepared for the boys in a different way. They were ready with bamboo sticks to beat and chase away the boys before the boys could drench them. Of course this was in good-natured fun and everyone played normal Holi after that. ‘Lath’ is the Hindi word for stick and ‘mar’ means to beat. This event has been replayed every year since then. The boys from Nandgaon go to Barsana with leather shield. The gopis of Barsana beat the boys with sticks, who defend themselves with the shields. They do not retaliate. After the ritual over everyone has a good time.