From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: Deinkhlam- the consecrated trees and the Khnong Blai (God’s pillar) the sacred log of great length arrived at Iawmusiang on the second day of the Behdeinkhlam Festival of the Sein Raij Jowai on Sunday.
Thousands of Niamtre faithful from various localities including, Dulong, Panalar, Chilliangraij, Loomkyrwiang, Loompyrdi (Iongpiah), Loomiongkjam, Tpep-pale and others brought their respective Deinkhlam to Iawmusiang from forest areas in and around Jowai town.
The Deinkhlam were carried by groups of Niamtre followers in a spirit of joy and mirth, accompanied by melodious beating of traditional drums, cymbals and music created by traditional flutes.
Only after all the Deinkhlam of Kmai Raij reached Iawmusiang, the Khon Raij- the Chilliangraij locality escorted the Khnong Blai or the sacred log to Loomsooiung at Newhill Jowai.
The Deinkhlam and the Khnong Blai will be kept in Iawmusiang until Monday after which all localities will take their respective Deinkhlam and erect them in their respective localities, keeping them until Friday, the last day of the festival.
Thousands of people, young and old belonging to the indigenous religion Ka Niamtre, participated in the procession and festivities in Iawmusiang area. Participants danced to the beat of the traditional drums and other traditional musical instruments.
Meanwhile, the Sein Raij Tuber also observed the Behdeinkhlam festival which began on Saturday.On Monday, members of Niamtre from Tuber known as Phangwah will visit the villages falling under ka Phang-Nein. The Phang-Nein or the
Southern part of the Sein Raij will bring the Dein Bhang to Aitnar at Tuberkmai Shnong. Dein Bhang are also consecrated trees. The two trees which have a sort of hook at each end will be engaged in a tug of war between Phang Wah and Phang Nein on the last day of the festival at the Aitnar. The event the faithful believe would decide whether the area to the south or the north would be more fertile and yield better crops.