Khliehriat, Jul 17: The fog was thick, the rain was pounding as the Behdeiñkhlam, Jaintia’s largest festival, concluded on Friday with 69 rots immersed at the Syiem Aitnar in Tuber Kmai Shnong, East Jaintia Hills.
The venue was alive with active participation of the youth of Sein Raij Tuber through dance and music, and with the arrival of the uniquely crafted and adorned rots with meaningful messages and artwork by the respective communities. Noteworthy slogans like “Coal mining is the basis of our livelihood” and “Say no to drugs” echoed the festival’s significance as a platform for raising awareness.
The annual Behdeiñkhlam which means “driving away plague and evil spirits,” celebrated with the onset of the monsoon signifies the shower of blessings and abundance bestowed by nature upon the entire mankind and renews the spirit of good prevailing over evil. It is not only a religious significance but also a powerful expression of cultural identity, resilience, and social harmony among the Jaintia people.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, local MLAs, officials, Seng Khasi leaders and others witnessed the festival.
The chief minister in his speech announced a grant of ₹10 crore for Sein Raij Tuber for the construction of galleries near the Aitnar ground and also for building a museum at Tuber Kmaishnong. He also said that this financial assistance is not only for Sein Raij Tuber but also for other religious organisations.
He said the support will come under a new special scheme which the government plans to support all religious constructions. “Just as I have discussed with the Presbyterian Church, we plan to build the Thomas Jones Museum, and through this same scheme we will also support the Catholic Church, the Seng Khasi, and other faiths,” he added.
Sangma said the Behdeiñkhlam festival truly showcases the indigenous identity of the people of the state. This is a tradition and custom that must be preserved and passed down from one generation to the next.
