One of the most popular festivals of the Jaintia tribe, the Behdienkhlam festival is celebrated during the monsoon season in the month of July. It is a 4 days long festival that is mainly held in the small town of Jowai in the state of Meghalaya.
The purpose of the Behdienkhlam festival is to pray for the good health of people, property and invoking divine blessings for a bountiful harvest. The Behdienkhlam festival is observed by the non- Christian ‘Pnar’ people who believe either in the traditional faith of ‘Niamtre’ or Hinduism.
Etymology of Behdienkhlam Festival
The word ‘Behdien’ means to drive away with sticks and ‘Khlam’ means plague. Combining both the words, ‘Behdienkhlam’ literally means to ‘drive away the evil and plague’. The Behdienkhlam festival is also known as the festival for chasing away the Demon of Cholera.
Legends behind Behdienkhlam Festival
As per ancient lore, it is said that the Jowai town was once covered by thick forest, without any kind of human habitation. These dense forests were home to 5 deities, 4 stone structures, which can still be seen at the 4 corners of the town of Jowai, and lastly a river nymph. The 5 deities had wished for human settlement in the area and soon thereafter, a wandering Mongolian tribe had arrived in these forests.
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