JOWAI: The biggest Behdeinkhlam festival in Jaintia Hills celebrated by the Sein Raij Tuber, the largest among the Sein Raij in the region, concluded at Tuberkmai Shnong village amidst religious fervour and merriment on Thursday.
Among the over 10,000 spectators were Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister RC Laloo, PWD Minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar, local MLA, Justine Dkhar, Sutnga MLA, Hopeful Bamon, JHADC Chief Thombor Shiwat, MDCs and other top district officials.
The festival witnessed a colourful display of 61 Rots (or Raths) also known as ‘Rong’ at the sacred muddy pool – Ka Biar. The Rots were brought from various parts of Jaintia Hills by the Niamtre faithful.
Thousands of Niamtre faithful of the Sein Raij Tuber representing different villages, danced to the beat of the drums and other traditional musical instruments while carrying their respective ‘Rong’ to the ‘Biar’.
Various rituals were performed by the Lyngdoh or the priest besides elders of the Sein Raij as the festival began on Thursday morning . Rituals including ‘Ka Knia Knia Ryngkaw’, which is an oblation to the Goddess, who guards over the Raij, “Shoh Tyndai Iung” which refers to beating of the roof of every household in each locality and the ‘Behkhlam’ which is a ritual performed at Tuberkmai Shnong to drive away plague were observed.
The last two rituals performed before and after immersion of all Rots brought to Aitnar are “Ka Iatan Bhang” which is similar to tug-of-war and “Iaslait”, similar to wresting, in which two of the strongest men would compete with each other.
“Ka Iatan Bhang” is a tug-of-war between a group representing the Phang Nein (North) and the Phang wah (South). It is believed that if the Phang Nein wins the game, the whole year will be prosperous and if the Phang-wah wins the game, the year will be unpleasant.
This year, the Phang Nein emerged as the winner.