The annual Behdeiñkhlam festival concluded on Sunday without mass festivities and fanfare by the Jaiñtia tribe, also known as the Pnar, due to Covid-19 fears.
The Seiñ Jaiñtia faithful led by their leaders paid obeisance to U Tre Kirot, the Almighty, and invoked his divine protection and blessings by various forms of obeisance.
Only those vaccinated against the deadly infection were allowed to participate in the festival’s rituals and ceremonies, which are meant to drive away ‘Ka Khlam’ or the pandemic.
Seiñ Raij Jowai president, OR Shallam said all efforts have been taken to ensure proper celebration and though the people’s absence is a major dampener, it will not prevent the faithful from appeasing the almighty following all rituals.
Today, the Wasan accompanied by youths of the village visits every home, climbs up the roof of each house, and wallops the roof with a thin bamboo signifying the driving away of evil spirits. The erected ‘Symbud Khnong’ was taken down for a final procession to the sacred Madan Aitnar for the culmination.
