SHILLONG: Behdienkhlam festival that began on Saturday is different this time.
As the name indicates driving away plague or evil, the prayers of the Pnar devotees are to end COVID-19, which is plaguing the people.
Behdienkhlam is an occasion that brings the Niaw Wasa closer to God and it also explains the concept of the creation of a community and its religion, Niamtre. It is usually celebrated during the high monsoon and after sowing.
Rites and rituals are also performed to drive away the evil spirits of plague and pestilence.
Since Saturday, the devotees have been performing Choh Thyndai or Sympat Yung, an act of beating the roof of each and every house with the Deinkhlam Khian coupled with prayers to U Tre Kirot to drive away the evil spirits of plague and pestilence.
“It will be relevant in the context of the present health crisis, COVID-19, and hence we must celebrate Behdienkhlam and perform the rituals,” said Omarlin Kyndiah, general secretary, Sein Raij Niamtre, Shillong.
To celebrate the settlement of Niaw Wasa on earth, the Niam Behdienkhlam is performed. It symbolises reverence and thanksgiving to God, the creator. Prayers are offered to God invoking him to drive away all the evil spirits of plague and pestilence.
The festival will culminate on Wednesday.
“Our world is facing a great danger that threatens the lives of millions of people due to the spread of the coronavirus. During this Behdienkhlam, we call on God, U Tre Kirot, to end the pandemic and heal those who are afflicted with the virus. We pray that we are blessed with health and happiness; peace and prosperity; love and compassion; friendship and fraternity, and above all, readiness to work selflessly for the betterment of the world,” Kyndiah said.
He said prayers are also for people to remain calm and strong in perilous times and to be compassionate to help the suffering brethren, the ailing and the starving millions the world over. “Help us reach out and work together to make our planet healthier and happier,” he said.
Kyndiah also called upon all religious faiths to join them and celebrate Behdienkhlam, pray for those suffering and ask for quick end to the pandemic.
Restricted celebrations
In view of the restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19 and the subsequent government advisories, the celebration of Behdienkhlam has been limited to only the performances of rites and rituals which do not involve community or mass gathering.
In Jowai, only prayers will be offered and there will not be any gathering of people or carrying rots (raths) unlike the past.
The state government has granted permission to celebrate the religious festival with strict guidelines.
Complying with the health restrictions, the major events involving participation of large number of devotees have been scaled down and limited to the participation of only the council of priests or Ki Khatso Wasan and the representatives of the Phra Kur Phra Kmai, Ki Khon Raij and Kmai Raij.
In Shillong too, the Sein Raij Niamtre has limited the celebration to the rites and rituals which do not involve community gathering.
