Picture: Lathmar Holi celebrations kicked off at Barsana in Mathrua

The government deployed 150 buses to transport people to Nandgaon or Barsana for the festival.

Mathura:

Mathura’s famous ‘lathmar’ Holi festival began with much fanfare on Monday and no men were injured, but men are subjected to ritual beatings by women during the event.

According to district magistrate Sherendra Singh, security was tight during Holi celebrations at Barsana in Mathura and ambulances were on standby to attend to the injured.

“Despite the presence of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, no untoward incident occurred,” the magistrate said.

A glimpse of the Holi celebrations at Sriji Temple Latamal

Dr. Manoj Vashishta, head of the local community health center, said no one came to the center for treatment after the festival.

Mr. Goswami, one of the revelers, said that as part of the ritual, the men in Nandgaon tried to get the Barsana women wet and they attacked the men with sticks in return.

Officials said the entire ‘mela’ area has been divided into five and 12 zones to mark the week-long celebrations, which will culminate on Holi on March 25.

Women in Barsana beat men as part of Holi rituals in Barsana

To avoid traffic congestion, Barsana has installed 78 guardrails and 45 parking spaces.

29 barriers and 12 parking areas have been set up in Nandgaon.

Four watchtowers have been set up in Barsana and two in Nandgaon to ensure normal movement of traffic, officials said.

The government deployed 150 buses to transport people to Nandgaon or Barsana for the festival.

Holi celebrations at Sriji Temple in Mathura

The government has also sealed four ponds in Barsana and one pond in Nandgaon to prevent drownings.

According to officials, 13 temporary ambulances and four ambulances are on standby at 12 makeshift mini-hospitals in Barsana and 12 makeshift mini-hospitals in Nandgaon.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)