Hindu women in India playfully beat men with sticks during traditional Holi celebrations

The northern Indian town of Barsana kicked off its Holi celebrations on Saturday with a lively tradition involving dozens of men being playfully beaten with sticks by women.

Known as Lathmar Holi, the Hindu festival tradition re-enacts the legend of the Hindu god Krishna, who is said to have visited Barsana to shower goddess Radha in vibrant colours, only to be playfully chased away by Radha.