PHOTOS: Riot of colours as UP relives Radha-Krishna tale

People throw coloured powder as they celebrate 'Lathmar Holi' at village Nandgaon in Uttar Pradesh. In a Holi tradition unique to Nandgaon and Barsana villages, men sing provocative songs to gain the attention of women, who then beat them with bamboo sticks called lathis. Holi -- the festival of colours -- heralds the beginning of spring and is celebrated all over India.

Legend has it that Lord Krishna visited Radha's village on this day and teased her friends. Taking offence, the women of Barsana chased him away. Since then, men from Lord Krishna's village have been visiting Barsana to play holi.

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A man daubed in coloured powder smiles as he celebrates Lathmar Holi in Nandgaon.

Men throw red colour powder as they celebrate Lathmar Holi.

Followers of Krishna soak each other in colours in Nandgaon.

A boy daubed in coloured powder reacts to the camera as he joins the festivities.

Boys dressed as females play fugdi -- a folk dance -- in the Uttar Pradesh village, believed to be Lord Krishna's hometown.

A man daubed in colour poses for shutterbugs amind holi celebrations at Barsana.

A boy sprays coloured water on a family making their way to a temple during holi at Nandgaon. According to tradition which has its roots in Hindu mythology men from Barsana arrive at the temple where they are soaked in colored water by men from Nandgaon.

A man shields himself from a woman playfully beating him with a bamboo stick.

People dance as they celebrate holi at Barsana.

A man shields himself from women playfully beating him with bamboo sticks at Barsana.