JOWAI, July 13: The Behdieñkhlam Festival of the Sein Raij Jowai entered its third day on Sunday, marked by vibrant traditional ceremonies and cultural events that brought the community together in celebration and devotion.
The day began with the setting up of the sacred “Deiñkhlam Bon” at Iong Rngad Wah (Khonraij). As part of the morning rituals, members of the Raij community carried the symbolic “Symbood Khnong” from Loom Soo Iung to Khlieh Shnong (Chilliang Raij).
Later in the afternoon, elders from the Kmai Raij gathered at Mynkoi Pyrdi (Iaw-Iongpiah) to prepare traditional ritual structures such as the Bom and Bhuri. These were then carried to Datlawakor and other sacred sites across Iawmusiang, continuing the day’s ceremonial activities.
Following the devotional rites, women from all six localities of the Kmai Raij participated in carrying the “Deiñkhlam” from Iawmusiang to various neighbourhoods. There, they installed the Deiñkhlam alongside the Bom and Bhuri, accompanied by traditional dances and celebratory music that filled the streets with festive spirit.
The community also transported the symbolic “Khnong Blai” to Madan Moosyiem, where the Pator (priest) performed rituals by offering traditional liquor to the spiritual figure ‘Kñi Nikhla’, completing the day’s religious observances.
The festival will conclude on July 14, the final day of the Behdieñkhlam Festival 2025, known as “Muchai.” The highlight of the day will be a grand procession featuring elaborately decorated structures created by different localities. These will be ceremonially immersed in the sacred pool of ‘Syiem Aitnar’, along with the “Symbood Khnong” and “Khnong Blai.”
In the evening, the festival will close with the traditional “Datlawakor”, a symbolic event between the Langdoh (priest) and the Sangot Paswet (youth representative), representing the community’s unity, spiritual strength, and shared cultural heritage.
