People celebrate Lathmar Holi in temples, India, where they are daubed in colors and gather to sing religious hymns. March 15, 2019 /VCG Photo

It takes place days before the actual Holi in the neighbouring towns of Barsana and Nandgaon near Mathura in the state of Uttar Pradesh, where thousands of Hindus and tourists congregate each year. /VCG Photo

Lathmar Holi, a local celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi, means literally that “Holi in which people hit with sticks.” /VCG Photo

The most famous ritual of Lathmar Holi is that women use sticks to beat up men in the Radha Rani temple in Barsana. /VCG Photo