Rangotsav 2026: ‘Lathmar Holi’ paints Barsana in tradition as Nandgaon’s Huriyars join the festivities

Flower petals showered from helicopters on Huriyars and devotees

Lakhs of Indian and international devotees witnessed this unique 5,000-year-old Braj tradition

Yogi government gave ‘Rangotsav’ a grand and divine form with a series of cultural programs

Mathura, February 2026 : The town of Barsana, the sacred abode of Radha Rani, was completely immersed in the joy of Rangotsav on Wednesday. Around 5 pm, the world-famous ‘Lathmar Holi’ was played, where the Huriyars from Nandgaon were showered with “sticks of love” by the women of Barsana.

From rooftops to streets, every corner was drenched in ‘abeer’ and ‘gulal’, with chants of Radha-Krishna echoing everywhere. Giving Rangotsav 2026 a majestic touch, Yogi government organized a range of cultural programs. To witness this unique celebration, a sea of devotees from India and abroad thronged Barsana.

As the Huriyars from Nandgaon arrived in Barsana, they received a grand welcome at ‘Priya Kund’. The people of Barsana regard Krishna’s companions as sons-in-law and hosted them with the same affection-offering sweets, pakoras, ‘thandai’ and ‘bhaang’. The Huriyars then tied their turbans and proceeded to the temple of ‘Shri Ladli Kishori Ji’ atop the ‘Brahmanchal’ hill, seeking Radha Rani’s permission to play Holi. Making this moment even more divine, flower petals were showered from helicopters on the Huriyars and devotees.

After the darshan, around 4 pm the Huriyars reached ‘Rangili Gali’. To the beats of drums and ‘nagadas’, they sang traditional Braj rasiya and Holi songs to woo the Huriyarins. In playful response, the women struck them with sticks, while the men protected themselves with sturdy leather shields.
It is believed that this tradition dates back 5,000 years, when Lord Krishna came with his friends to tease Radha Rani and her companions, who then chased them away with sticks. In Braj, Holi begins from Basant Panchami and continues for 45 days, with ‘Lathmar Holi’ being its most prominent attraction.

Witnessing this divine spectacle, devotees and temple servitors were overwhelmed with emotion. Devotee Bharti said she had never seen such Holi before, “Even the strikes of sticks carry love and devotion, something that can be felt only in Braj. It feels as if Kanhaiya himself is playing Holi here.”

Devotee Swati praised the arrangements, saying the administration’s management was excellent despite the massive crowd and that the shower of flowers from the sky filled her heart with joy.

Manish Goswami, chief priest of the Nandbaba Temple, explained that the bond between Nandgaon and Barsana dates back to the Dwapar era. “These sticks do not cause injury, they symbolize the pure love and playful persuasion of Radha and Krishna. Today, the entire Braj is immersed in this nectar of love.”

Considering the huge turnout, Mathura Police, following Yogi government directives, put in place extremely tight security arrangements. More than 4,500 police personnel, PAC units and Anti-Romeo squads were deployed at every point. District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh and SSP Shlok Kumar personally conducted foot patrols through the lanes of Barsana, closely monitoring arrangements to ensure the mega event concluded peacefully and safely.