By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Thousands of Khasi-Jaintia people who adhere to the indigenous tribal faith-Seng Khasi thronged the sacred ‘U Lum Sohpetbneng’ (Navel of the earth) atop the 1,344-metre high peak, about 16 km from Shillong, to offer their obeisance to god with traditional rituals and rites, dances and songs.
Like every year on the first Sunday of February, despite the heat, dust and exhaustion, the Seng Khasi believers trekked for almost an hour and a half to reach this navel of the earth where they believed once lay the ‘Golden Stairs’ known as Ka ‘Jingkieng Ksiar’ which connects heaven and earth.
There is deep-rooted belief of the Khasi people that they belong to the sixteen huts dear to God the creator. The inhabitants of these huts descended and ascended from their heavenly abode to the earth and back to the heavens through a golden bridge, atop the sacred peak.
However, golden ladder was broken when sin crept into earth.
According to legends, the sub tribes of Khasi race Khynriam, Pnar, Bhoi, War, Maram, Lyngngam and the now-extinct Diko of Meghalaya, are collectively known as Ki Hynniewtrep, which literally means Seven Huts’ referring to the seven families, the first settlers on earth.
“Khasis believe that in the days when righteousness prevailed there was a tree that served as a ladder to the original sixteen families for their communication between heaven and earth. This tree formed the golden bridge ensuring physical contact between man and god till the time when sin crept in and this bridge gave way destroying the communication link between heaven and earth,” a Lyngdoh of the Seng Khasi said.
“Every year, thousands of people from all over the Khasi-Jaintia make a pilgrimage to this sacred peak to witness the rituals being performed and leaving aside the exhaustion from the climb, they look afresh when they reach the top of the peak”, a Lyngdoh of the Seng Khasi said.
This sacred peak is said to be a repository of ancient wisdom and the fountain head of religious philosophy which is shrouded in sacredness and sanctity.
