- Briefly, know about the Behdienkhlam Festival,
Meghalaya. See video or read.
To see short
video by author or read below.
Behdienkhlam, which means chasing away the
demon of disease, is an ancient three day festival which comes after the sowing
season in July, and is celebrated by the Jaintya community of Meghalaya, who
follow the Niam Tre religion.
The festival commemorates the act of four
sisters who buried a tree trunk to ward off a plague, and are considered to be
the matrilineal ancestors of the Jaintya people.
The religious rites are led by the chief or
Daloi with a prayer to U Blai, who is the source and sustainer of all creation,
present everywhere, and not requiring any material worship, somewhat similar to
the saguṇa Brahman.
Then, each house carries out Niam Tre rituals,
which are based on the three rules.
First, know man to know U Blai, second, know
your kinsmen, and finally, live by righteousness and be truthful. All worship
done orally, without any prescribed prayer.
After this, young men beat houses with long
bamboo poles, to drive away the demon of disease.
In the afternoon, everyone dances joyfully.
Each locality prepares tall decorated structures called ratha, which is carried in a procession to the central place called
Aitnar. Also, undressed wooden posts called khnongs are carried to commemorate
the act of the four sisters.
On the last day, East and West Jaintia people compete in a football game called dad-lawakor. It
is believed that whoever wins is assured of plentiful rain in the next
season.
Behdienkhlam is a happy, boisterous festival
with dancing, feasting and fun, but rooted in tradition, culture, and practices
of Niam Tre.
The main festivals occur at Jowai and
Tuberkmai in the Jaintia Hills, which are named after Jayanteshwari
Durga, who resides in Nartiang Durga Temple, a Shakti peetha, where the
left Thigh of Dakshayani is said to have fallen.
So, visit Meghalya to experience the
magnificent and diverse consciousness or chaitanyam of the Meghalaya people.
References
1. Meghalya state government on
festival
2. Meghalaya
Tourism
3. Wikipedia link One and Two
To see author short video on
festival
To see all albums on
Meghalaya