Meghalaya’s unique Behdienkhlam Festival concludes successfully

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Meghalaya’s most unique festival The Behdieñkhlam concluded on Friday at the Biar Aitnar which witnessed the participation of thousands after two years of restrictions following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Behdienkhlam Festival is the most unique festival among the Pnars tribals which showcases their eccentric culture and social believes.

Behdienkhlam, literally meaning chasing away the Demon of Cholera, is celebrated annually in the month of July after the sowing period. The main attraction of the festival is their dance performances performed only by the men of the Jaintia tribes. 

This festival Tour is also an invocation to God, seeking his blessings for a bumper harvest. The women however do not participate in the dancing, as they have an important function of offering sacrificial food to the spirits of the forefathers. The festival held at Jowai is one of the most well known and recreational festival in Meghalaya. 
Altogether 60 Rots (Tableaus) were brought from different Villages of the ‘Raij Tuber’ which fall under East and West Jaiñtia Hills.

This Behdieñkhlam Festival which is the largest in Jaiñtia Hills observed by the Niamtre Faithfuls began on 19 July and various ceremonies and rituals were performed as part of the festival. 

The Festival  was attended by the PHE Minister, Renikton L Tongkhar, the local MLA and Minister of Social Welfare, Kyrmen Shylla, the CEM of JHADC, Thombor Shiwat along with JHADC MDCs, the Dolloi of Elaka Jowai, Puramon Kynjing, Government Officers, and individuals from across the state.