From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: The four-day-long Behdeinkhlam festival of the Sein Raij Mukhla concluded here on Thursday midst fanfare.
Hundreds of people from across Jaintia Hills particularly members of the Niamtre witnessed the festival on Thursday at Madan Slot Masi and Aitnar near Mukhla sacred groves.
Deputy Chief Minister in charge Arts and Culture Department, Bindo N Lanong, Wahiajer MLA, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Moonlight Pariat, Sunday Morning Suna and others also witnessed the festival besides other government officials, elders of various Sein Raijs, seng Khihlang, and Seng Khasi.
In his speech Lanong said, “A nation without a religion and culture is a dead nation. He lauded the members of the Sein Raij Mukhla who organised the festival in a grand manner.
Out of seven Sein Raijs in Jaintia Hills, Sein Raij Mukhla is the sixth Sein Raij which celebrates Behdeinkhlam Festival annually during the month of August every year.
The Festival aims to drive away plague which may come in the forms of sickness, famines, and social evils that affected the society.
Rituals such as Knia Syiem Khlam and Ram Shillong, Knia Ryngkaw among other rituals were performed during the celebration of the Behdeinkhlam festivals.
Altogether nine rots were brought and displayed at the Aitnar before they were immersed on Thursday.
A rot carries a message on the ongoing protest against corruption led by Anna Hazare.