On Wednesday, the vibrant and playful Lathmar Holi commenced in the twin towns of Barsana and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, marking the beginning of the week-long Holi celebrations that draw devotees and tourists from across the country and across the world

This centuries-old festival, rooted in the Braj region's lore of Lord Krishna and Radha, is celebrated with colours, music, sweets, and the iconic playful use of sticks, or lathis 

On the other hand, A large number of devotees participated in the Holi Utsav held at Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan of Mathura district, ahead of the Holi festival, which falls next week

Devotees were seen playing holi with gulal. The priests at the temple were also seen throwing gulal on the devotees who arrived at the Banke Bihari Temple on Friday 

Earlier on that day, Naga sadhus and other saints also celebrated Rangbhari Ekadashi with great fervour and devotion in Ayodhya

Clouds of gulal fill the air as devotees celebrate Lathmar Holi at the Radha Rani Temple in Banaras

People take part in 'Lathmar Holi' celebrations at Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple, in Mathura

Dressed in traditional attire, women participate in the joyous Lathmar Holi celebrations in Banaras, Uttar Pradesh

Thousands of devotees and tourists throng Barsana to witness the vibrant Lathmar Holi festival rooted in the legend of Radha and Krishna

Smeared in gulal and lost in devotion, participants immerse themselves in the spirit of Lathmar Holi in the sacred town of Banaras

The ancient town of Barsana comes alive in a burst of colour and tradition as Lathmar Holi celebrations kick off the Holi season in the Braj region

An aerial view from Shri Nand Baba temple amid holi festivites in Banaras

Men shield themselves as women playfully strike with decorated sticks during the iconic Lathmar Holi at Banaras, Mathura

The celebration takes place about a week before the main Holi festival and draws hundreds of thousands of devotees, tourists, and photographers from across India and the world.