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Hindu devotees rest during Lathmaar Holi celebrations in the village of Nundgaon, India, March 22, 2013.
The tradition of playing with colors on Holi draws its roots from a legend of Radha and the Hindu God Krishna. It is believed that young Krishna was jealous of Radha's fair complexion since he himself was himself very dark. After questioning his mother Yashoda on the darkness of his complexion, Yashoda, teasingly asked him to color Radha's face in whichever color he wanted. In a mischievous mood, Krishna applied color on Radha's face.
AP
Hindu men from the village of Nandgaon, India, are covered in colored powder as they sit on the floor during prayers at the Ladali, or Radha temple, before the procession for the Lathmar Holi festival in the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu god Krishna, in Barsana, India, 71 miles from New Delhi, March 21, 2013.
During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town.
Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
A transgender Hindu devotee dances during Lathmaar Holi celebrations in the village of Barsana, India March 21, 2013.
AP
Hindu transsexuals dance as colored powder is thrown at the Ladali, or Radha temple, before the procession for the Lathmar Holi festival in the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu god Krishna, in Barsana, India, 71 miles from New Delhi, March 21, 2013.
During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town.
Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
Bowls of colored powder are displayed at a roadside shop ahead of Holi in Allahabad, India, March 24, 2013.
Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
Indian Hindu devotees participate in rituals for the Lathmar Holi festival at the Nandji Temple in Nandgaon, March 22, 2013.
AP
Hindu men from the village of Nangaon, India, are covered in colored powder as they sit on the floor during prayers at the Ladali, or Radha temple, before the procession for the Lathmar Holi festival in the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu god Krishna, in Barsana, 71 miles from New Delhi, March 21, 2013.
During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town.
AP
A Hindu man from the village of Nangaon, India, throws colored powder on others as they sit on the floor during prayers at the Ladali, or Radha temple, before the procession for the Lathmar Holi festival in the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu god Krishna, in Barsana, 71 miles from New Delhi, March 21, 2013.
During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town.
Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
Hindu devotees play with color during Lathmaar Holi celebrations in the village of Nundgaon, India, March 22, 2013.
AP
Hindu men throw and spray colored water on men from the village of Nangaon, India, as they sit on the floor during prayers at the Ladali, or Radha temple, before the procession for the Lathmar Holi festival in the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu god Krishna, in Barsana, 71 miles from New Delhi, March 21, 2013.
During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town.
AP
Hindu men from the village of Nangaon, India, are covered in colored powder as they sit on the floor during prayers at the Ladali, or Radha temple, before the procession for the Lathmar Holi festival in the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu god Krishna, in Barsana, 71 miles from New Delhi, March 21, 2013.
During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town.
AP
Villagers from Nandgaon, India, throw colored water on the villagers from Barsana as they arrive at the Nandagram temple, famous for Lord Krishna and his brother Balram, during Lathmar Holi festival in Nandgaon, 75 miles from New Delhi, March 22, 2013.
During Lathmar Holi the women of Nandgaon, the hometown of Hindu god Krishna, beat the men from Barsana, the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town.
AP
Indian Hindu devotees smeared with colors sing at the Nandagram temple, famous for Lord Krishna and his brother Balram, during Lathmar Holi festival in Nandgaon, India, March 22, 2013.
During Lathmar Holi the women of Nandgaon, the hometown of Hindu god Krishna, beat the men from Barsana, the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town.
AP
Indian Hindu devotees smeared with colors play at the Nandagram temple, famous for Lord Krishna and his brother Balram, during Lathmar Holi festival in Nandgaon, India, 75 miles from New Delhi, March 22, 2013.
During Lathmar Holi the women of Nandgaon, the hometown of Hindu god Krishna, beat the men from Barsana, the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town.
AP
Villagers from Nandgaon throw colored water on the villagers from Barsana as they arrive at the Nandagram temple, famous for Lord Krishna and his brother Balram, during Lathmar Holi festival in Nandgaon, 75 miles from New Delhi, March 22, 2013.
During Lathmar Holi the women of Nandgaon, the hometown of Hindu god Krishna, beat the men from Barsana, the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town.
Sam Panthaky/AFP/Getty Images
Schoolgirls participate in Holi celebrations with eco-friendly dry colors ahead of the Hindu festival Holi, in Ahmedabad , India, March 25, 2013.
Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
A group of women carry sticks after having participated in the tradition of beating a man holding a shield over his head, during Lathmar Holi celebrations in the village of Nandgaon, near Mathura, India, March 22, 2013.
Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
Hindu devotees play in color during Lathmaar Holi celebrations in the village of Nundgaon, India, March 22, 2013.
Manish Swarup/AP
Indian villagers from Nandgaon, India, wait for the arrival of villagers from Barsana to celebrate Lathmar Holi at the Nandagram temple, famous for Lord Krishna and his brother Balram, in Nandgaon, 75 miles from New Delhi, March 22, 2013.
