Women in north India beat men with bamboo sticks to celebrate a traditional festival called Lathmar Holi, while men duck and cover under leather cushions.

The beating with sticks called "lathis" is a tradition unique to Barsana and Nandgaon in India, where the festival is celebrated in the days running up to Holi, including yesterday when this video was filmed (March 17). "Lathmar" literally meaning "hitting with sticks".

Lathmar Holi originated from a legend that Lord Krishna visited a love interest in her village, before he was chased out by a group of women after he teased her friends.

Lathmar Holi is a festival that celebrated days before the actual Holi takes place in Barsana and Nandgaon near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. 'Lathmar' means 'hitting with sticks'. This might sound violent but this festival has a strong significance in Mathura.On this day, the women of Barsana take charge and all that men need to do is save themselves from the immensely charged up womenfolk.Barsana is the birth place of Lord Krishna's beloved Radha. This tradition dates back to the time when Lord Krishna started the tradition of colours by first applying colour on Radha's face.This unique kind of Holi that is celebrated in Barsana where women chase men away with sticks and men sing provocative songs in order to invite attention of women. Women then go on the offensive and use long staves called "lathis" to beat men folk who protect themselves with shields.