Watch: Hundreds Celebrate "Latth Maar" Diwali With Sticks, Canes In UP Village

Hundreds of men at a village in Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun gathered to celebrate "Latth Maar Diwali" today with sticks, canes. In a video shared on social media, men - mostly in their 30s and 40s - are seen dancing to the beats of dhol with sticks and canes in their hands. A few children accompany the grown-ups.

However, despite the government's and experts' Covid warnings, none is seen wearing a mask. The small area, tightly packed with men celebrating this Bundelkhand tradition, has no room for social distancing.

#WATCH | People in Jalaun participate in Bundelkhand's traditional 'Latth Maar Diwali'. #Diwali pic.twitter.com/3F29F0Pgmx

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 4, 2021

Two groups of men are seen dancing around in two separate circles with one even hoisting a man on his shoulders as bystanders watch. As the music gains tempo, the two groups start fighting with their canes - in intricate choreography - to the beats.

Ahead of the festivals, the Centre had issued an advisory urging all the states to ensure Coronavirus precautions are followed strictly during the festive season. The advisory listed a host of measures to stop infection rates from spiralling as they have in some countries.

"States/UTs are further requested to ensure that non-adherence to COVID Appropriate behaviour in public places is dealt with strongly. Inter-sectoral collaboration between health departments, law enforcement agencies, market and trade associations, civil society organizations, and community will be essential to curb any risk of a spike in COVID-19 trajectory," Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had said in a letter to the states.