JOWAI: The biggest Behdeinkhlam festival in Jaintia Hills celebrated by the Sein Raij Tuber, the largest of all the Sein Raij in Jaintia Hills, concluded at Tuberkmai Shnong village with religious fervour and merriment on Thursday.
The festival witnessed a colourful display of 66 ‘Rongs’ or ‘Rath; at the Biar- a sacred pool.
All ‘Rongs’ were brought by the Niamtre faithful from various parts of Jaintia Hills including Khliehtyrshi, Madur, Mupyut near Jowai, Jalaphet from Sutnga and other places from East Jaintia Hills.
Members of the Sein Raij Tuber representing different localities of over 29 villages, both young and old, danced to drum beats and other traditional musical instruments while carrying their respective rot.
The last day of the annual Behdeinkhlam festival was witnessed by over 10,000 spectators.
Also present on the occasion were PWD Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, local MLA, Justine Dkhar, Sutnga MLA, Hopeful Bamon among others.
Other important rituals performed on Thursday were Knia Ryngkaw, an oblation to the Goddess who guards over the Raij, performed by the priest or U Longdoh U Riblai assisted by religious elders.
Beh Khlam was another symbolic ritual performed early in the morning wherein hundreds of members of the Sein Raij at Tuber holding sticks (similar to a long fishing rod) ran from the west end to the east end of the village beating anything on their way to drive away ‘plague’.
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.
The 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 northern part of the Raid Tuber will be more prosperous and vice versa.
Meanwhile, based on the memorandum handed over to PWD Minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar assured that the stretch from main road NH-44 to Khloo Blai (Sacred Grove) will be sanctioned. He also donated Rs. 2 lakh for the construction of a guest house.
