The Behdienkhlam festival is celebrated by the Pnar diasporas of Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya, India. Organised a

The Behdienkhlam festival is celebrated by the Pnar diasporas of Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya, India. Organised annually by the Seinraij Jowai, this unique festival in Meghalaya has a board meaning – to overcome the destructive force of nature, including diseases and an invocation to god for good harvest. “Khalm” means plague of pestilence and behdien” means to drive away the plague and other social evils. A preparation for the festival begins in the month of March with a ritual called “ka kbai mooknor” and ends with a four days three nights celebration, after the sowing season is over . the culminating part of Behdeinkhlam festival is unique and very colourful, where the niamtre faithful, both young and old partivipate in dancing to the tune of “Bom” (drums) and “Bhuri” (flute).

During this festival, young men make a symbolic gesture of driving away the evil spirits, plague and disease by beating the roof of every house with bamboo poles. And on the last day, people dressed up in their best attires gather in a place called Aitnar, both young and old, to dance to the tunes of the pipes and drums.

This Year the festival was held from 11th July to 14th July of 2022, in Jowai, Meghalaya, India.

People of different localities will leave lawmusiang, along with the “Deinkhlam for ‘erection ‘ at their respective place.

All localities will leave the Myngkoi Pyrdi, proceed towards lawmusiang through “Biar Ka Blai” to Datlawakor & other sacred place located at lawmusiang in a dancing mood & participating enthusiastically in a crescendo of cheering with awe & wonderment of God.