Niamtre faithful called for saying no to plastic and avoid mobile phone addiction in Behdienkhlam

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 14, 2022

Behdienkhlam, the annual religious festival celebrated by the Niamtre faithful of Jaintia Hills Region for seeking Heavenly blessing for good harvest and driving away plagues came to a grand end with pomp and gaiety at Aitnar, Jowai with the attendances of over 8000 faithful both young and old who could not witness the festival after two long years of tone down celebration due to restriction courtesy the COVID-19 pandemic.

The four day long Festival is organised by the Seinraij Jowai under the dynamic leadership of OR Shallam as President and Arwotki Sumer as General Secretary.

The Festival was witnessed by Union Minister of State of Culture and Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghawal, Chief Justice of High Court of Meghalaya Sanjib Banerjee, Rajya Sabha MP Dr WR Kharlukhi, Meghalaya Speaker and UDP President Metbah Lyngdoh, Meghalaya Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla, Meghalaya Arts & Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai and a host of senior bureaucrats and govt officials.

After the completion of all rituals at Aitnar performed by Dolloi of Elaka Jowai Puramon Kynjing, the Symbud Khnong and Khnong Blai, which are actually a log with considerable length is carried on the shoulder of the Niamtre leaders to the Aitnar and the faithful rushed to touch the Khnong as it is their belief that whoever touched the Khnong will be protected from illness and will be prosperous.

The main highlight of the celebration was the arrival of rots or raths from Iongpiah, Dulong, Panaliar, Loomkyrwiang, Chilliangraij, Loomiongkjam, Tpep-pale, Iawmusiang all localities under Jowai Town besides Ummulong and Shillong Seinraij. The rot or rath are made by the Niamtre of the various localities using bamboo, coloured paper and other materials with a depiction of message to the faithful.

This year, the Panaliar, Iongpiah locality depicted the 75 year of Independence Day celebration of India while Loomkyrwiang carried a message of humanity amongst all nations of the world amongst other and the Niamtre of Iawmusiang spread the message of saving nature by joining the green revolution and say no to plastics besides Tpeppale highlighted on the addiction of mobile phone.

Meanwhile, in the Datlawakor between Langdoh representing Pynthor Wah or downstream versus Sangot Paswet representing Pynthor nein or Upper stream played at Sawiar, Mynthong, Jowai, the team of Langdoh won indicated abundant harvest. Datlawakor is a contest for test of strength and wit where a wooden round structure is used between  two teams and whoever take possession of the structure won the contest.