JOWAI: The most colourful religious festival of the Pnars- ‘Ka Behdeinkhlam’, celebrated annually by the traditionally faithful- ‘Ka NiamTre’, began on Sunday with various rituals performed by elders of the traditional faith- the Niam Tre, in different parts of the state.
Rituals will be performed by U Lyngdoh or the priests, among others, in the presence of the Dolloi who is the head of the Niam Tre Jowai Sein Raij.
On Sunday, the two main rituals performed included, ‘Ka Siang ka Phur’, where edible items were offered to the ancestors of the respective Niam Tre family, while, the second ritual involved fetching of a sacred log of great length called the ‘Ka Symbud Khnong Blai’
Thousands of Niam Tre faithful from Dulong, Panaliar, Iongpiah, Chilliangraij, Tpep Pale and other localities came together, dancing to the beat of drums, from Jowai to Khliehtyrshi, where they brought the Symbud Khnong and laid it in a sacred place at Loom Soo Lung, Newhill, Jowai.
The four day long festival will end on Wednesday at the sacred pool or Ka Aitnar situated at Longpiah, Jowai with the immersion of the tower-like structures called Rot or Rath.
The celebration attracted thousands of Niam Tre- Niam Tynrai faithfull from across Jaintia and Khasi Hills.
According to Jowai Sein Raij President, JK Passah, the Governor of Meghalaya, KK Paul will grace the celebration at Aitnar as the chief guest, while, political leaders; Meghalaya legislators and tourists from across the state will witness the final celebrations on Wednesday.
JYF greet Niamtre faitful
Meanwhile, the Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF) has greeted the Sein Raij Jowai and Sein Raij Tuber on the auspicious occasion of Behdeinkhlam.
“We, leaders and members of the JYF wishes all people of Jaintia Hills a very happy Behdeinkhlam and may this Behdeinkhlam bring peace, health and wealth to all”, a press release, issued here stated.