RAKHI / RAKSHA BANDHAN

The chaste bond of love between a brother and a sister is one of the deepest and noblest of human emotions. 'Raksha Bandhan' or 'Rakhi' is a special occasion to celebrate this emotional bonding by tying a holy thread around the wrist. This thread, which pulsates with sisterly love and sublime sentiments, is rightly called the ‘Rakhi’. It means 'a bond of protection', and Raksha Bandhan signifies that the strong must protect the weak from all that’s evil.

The ritual is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan, on which sisters tie the sacred Rakhi string on their brothers' right wrists, and pray for their long life. Rakhis are ideally made of silk with gold and silver threads, beautifully crafted embroidered sequins, and studded with semi precious stones.

LATTHMAR HOLI - Mathura

During spring, Holi, the festival of colors is celebrated all over India. Holi is a time to make merry. People smear each other with colored powdered and water colors. Singing and dancing add to the gaiety of the occasion. The Holi celebrations in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna is spectacular. The Rang Gulal Festival is celebrated for a week with exuberant processions, songs and music. Nevertheless the feature that makes it distinct is the fam...ous 'Latthmar Holi' of Barsana and Nandgaon.

Tradition has it that Krishna used to come to Barsana to play Holi with Radha along with his friends. The Gopis after merriment chased away the boys by beating them with "lathis". So it came to be known as the 'Latthmar Holi'. Even today women folk here beat the men with 'Lathis' or Bamboo poles while showering colored water on them with great rejoice and merriment. The playful teasing of the Gopis is enacted by groups of men and women through special Holi songs and dances, called Rasiya..

Source : Bharatonline.com