Shillong, July 2: The Behdienkhlam Festival, is one of the most celebrated Cultural festival among the Pnars in Meghalaya. Behdienkhlam means to chase away the Demon of Cholera.

Every year, the festival of Behdienkhlam is celebrated in the month of July after the sowing period. It is one of the most important dance festivals of the Jaintia tribes.

During the festival Tour, devotees also seek God’s blessings for a good harvest.

The women of the Jaintia tribe do not participate in the dancing, as they prepare sacrificial food to offer to the spirits of the forefathers.

The festival of Behdienkhlam is held at Jowai, it is one of the most well-known and recreational festival of the state.

How is Behdienkhlam Festival celebrated?

On this day, several religious rites are performed by the Daloi (Chief). Young men actively participate in the Behdienkhlam Cultural Festival Tour, as they make symbolic gesture of driving away of the evil spirit, plague and disease by beating of the roof of every house with bamboo poles.

One of the most interesting glimpse of this festival tour is witnessing the fight for a large undressed beam by two groups of people. This competition between the two opposition parties leads to the heavy beam getting across a muddy ditch called Wah-eit-nar. A lot of men enter the event when mud is smeared by the participants on each other.

How long is this festival celebrated?

The ceremony and ritual of Behdienkhlam Festival is carried out for three days and on the last day, large crowds would gather in a place which is called as Aitnar and both young and old men would dance to the tunes of the pipes and drums.

Emotions of the devotees can be felt tall-decorated structures called rots and a wooden post-called khnongs is brought into the pool. Also, it is said that rain during the event makes the festival even more desirable.

Also, a game similar to football is also played by the people of Meghalaya. The game is played with a wooden ball also known as dad-lawakor.

When is Behdienkhlam Festival in 2023?

This year, the Behdienkhlam Festival will be celebrated on July 8th (Saturday).

Behdienkhlam holiday?

Behdienkhlam is a regional Indian holiday.

Also Read: EXPLAINED: What is Uniform Civil Code, What Indian Constitution says about UCC?

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