A video of a group of women hitting men with sticks, who protected themselves with wooden shields without retaliating, has emerged. The video, which was shot in March 18 in northern India's Uttar Pradesh state, is part of a century-old traditional festival, known as Latthmaar Holi.

In Hindi, 'Latt' stands for stick and 'maar' means to hit. Holi is the Indian festival of colour.

According to visuals, women, who were smeared in colour, were seen gently hitting the shields which were held by men over their head.

The incident took place in a temple in Mathura district of the state, also believed to be the birth place of Hindu deity Lord Krishna.

The festival is celebrated a few days before holi. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna would often visit to Barsana, the birth place of Shri Radha, his lover. Once, when he and his friends visited Barsana and teased Radha, the other women in the village decided to teach them a lesson.

Latthmaar holi is the reenactment of that story.

It is observed by all the residents in the Mathura district, who smear themselves with colour and revel in the festive spirit.