Mathura/ Varanasi, Mar 02 (ANI): Daubed in colours, people celebrated festival of colours, 'Holi', with pageantry in Uttar Pradesh. People threw powered colours and sprayed coloured water on each other while celebrating 'Lathmar Holi' in Uttar Pradesh. As per traditions, women beat men with sticks while celebrating the festival. Devotees thronged Mathura city, birthplace of Hindu Lord Krishna, to revel in celebrations. Lord Krishna is believed to have come to the earth to destroy an evil king called Kansa, who was his maternal uncle, and ruled some parts of northern India. Holi will be celebrated on March 06 however people of Mathura city mark the festival for eight days. In a special programme, performers were dressed as Lord Krishna and consort Radha. Meanwhile, spirits were high in holy city of Varanasi too as devotees celebrated Holi with colours, sweets and bhang (cannabis). Priests sprayed and sprinkled colours at devotees as they prayed before Lord Sri Krishna.