From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: With preparations going on in full swing, the stage is set for the kick-off of the four-day Behdeinkhlam Festival which starts on Saturday.
Behdeinkhlam- annual religious festival of the Pnar- got a boost earlier in the year with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India allocating Rs 25 lakh to the Sein Raij Jowai for better promotion of the Festival. The Sein Raij Tuberkmai, (the biggest among the Sein Raij) also received Rs 25 lakh from Union Minister for Water Resources through MPLADS for improving the Aitnar (a sacred muddy pool where the last day of the festival is performed)
The Sein Raij Jowai, President, OR Challam informed that Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma will attend the Festival as the chief guest. JA Lyngdoh, Shitlang Pale, BN Lanong have also confirmed their presence in the celebration.
Meanwhile, construction of decorative and colourful tower-like structures called Rot or Rath is being carried out in respective villages and localities.
“Let us hope that Behdeinkhlam Festival brings joy, happiness and good health to all people of the Khasi-Pnar community and members of the Sein Raij Jowai and Sein Raij Tuber”, the JHADC CEM, Lamdibok Sumer said.
This year, people of the Sein Raij Jowai and Sein Raij Tuber will organise the Festival on the same date from July 7-12.
According to traditional belief, the festival drives away plague and evil spirits. Plague refers to various kinds of diseases, bad fortune, famine, natural disasters and evil spirits are tjose which attack and destroy life and property.
Various kinds of rituals will be performed by elders of the traditional faith – the Niamtre. Rituals will be performed by the U Lyngdoh or the Priest among others.
The final day of the festival witnesses the faithful dancing in the Aitnar.
Beating of the roofs of the house with sticks or a young tree with an approximate length in a gesture to drive away the evil spirits is one of the features of the festival. A group of young men called Wasan would visit every house and perform the symbolic gesture of beating the roof. Another feature of the festival is the carrying of colourful rath or Rot – a tower-like structure made of paper and adorned with various designs – which will be brought to and displayed at the Aitnar on the concluding day by villagers from their respective villages and localities.
