JOWAI: Sein Raij Tuber in Jaintia Hills celebrated the largest Behdeinkhlam festival on Thursday.
The annual festival, which began on Monday, concluded at Tuberkmai Shnong village on Thursday with 72 tower-like structures call ‘rongs’ or ‘rath’ at the Biar, or the sacred pool.
All ‘rongs’ were brought by Niamtre faithful from various parts of West and East Jaintia Hills, including Khliehtyrshi, Madur, Mupyut near Jowai, Jalaphet from Sutnga and other places from East Jaintia Hills. Around 29 villages participated in the celebration.
Some of the Rongs carries a message about rapes, smoking, saving environment. Members of the Sein Raij Tuber representing different localities of over 29 villages danced to drum beats and other traditional musical instruments while carrying their rots as thousands spectators cheered.
Also present on the occasion were Meghalaya Arts and Culture Minister, AL Hek as the chief guest, Revenue Minister, Kyrmen Shylla as the guest of honour besides JHADC CEM MB Rymbai, others MLA, MDCS Officials of the District Administration.
The last two rituals performed before and after immersion of all rots brought to Aitnar were Ka Iatan Bhang, which is similar to a game of tug-of-war, and Iaslait, similar to wrestling, in which two of the strongest men compete against each other.
