When I went to Bahadurgarh in Haryana for Holi (better known outside of India as the festival of colour), I had no idea what I was about to experience. It turned into a great video because of that!
The rest of India celebrates Holi by throwing colours and water over each other. But in Haryana, it’s a battle of the sexes. It’s called Lathmar Holi.
As arrived at a small park, where a sound system and catering tent has been set up, my friend told me to be careful because the women are going to beat the men. I laughed it off, not believing her.
My kurta’s large top pocket was filled with 4 water balloons and I was ready for action. I burst a balloon on my friend and out came her whip made of some kind of Indian cloth. She started swinging it at me! She was a friend so she was swinging lightly. It didn’t hurt.
I grabbed the whip from her and began chasing her! After a short chase, I stumbled on an invisible pothole in the grass and came tumbling down! While I was face first in the grass an unknown auntie ran up to me and whipped me so hard it left a bruise!
Why did she hit me so hard? This was meant to be fun right? No wonder the other men I saw were running for their lives when being chased by a woman!
Haryanvi women are known for the brawn, this was the first time I saw it in action! You’ve been warned 😉
