JOWAI: The biggest Behdeinkhlam festival of the Pnars organised annually by Sein Raij Tuber (SRT) began on Monday and will end on Thursday.
The religious festival of the Niamtre or the traditional faith will be graced by Health Minister, AL Hek on the last day of the festival.
More than 26 villages in East and West Jaintia Hills will take part in the colourful religious festival on the concluding day at the Biar, the sacred pool situated at Tuberkmai Shnong village.
According to SRT General Secretary, Ribun Sana, during the four-day celebration, the Longdoh or the Priest, along with his ministers including the Sangot, the Wasans, the Maji and the Shutia, besides other religious elders will perform various rituals.
The faithful of Niamtre faithful have been preparing for the festival for the past few weeks.
The preparations include cleaning drives, white washing and painting of residential building and walls.
The construction of Rots (Raths)or the tower-like colourful structures is the most important part of the preparation.
“We are expecting more than 60 raths from more than 26 villages in East and West Jaintia Hills and they will be displayed at the sacred pool on the last day of the festival”, Sana said.
On Monday, faithful from Pynthorsale, Mukhaialong, Mutong, Chamcham and Lumshyrmit villages visited Iongkaluh village dancing to the beat of drums and flutes till 4pm.
Behdeinkhlam is a festival believed to drive away sickness and evil spirits from the society.
It is also a festival of joy and happiness celebrated annually after the sowing season.
