Behdienkhlam Festival 2025

History of Behdienkhlam 

The Pnar people of Meghalaya commemorate this event. It is the greatest festival of the Niam Tre religion, celebrating a healthy crop and a prosperous year. The largest Behdienkhlam celebrations are held at Jowai, West Jaintia Hills district, and Tuber Kmai, Jaintia Hills. The event is held yearly in July following the sowing season and is a significant dance festival. The celebration is intended to be an invocation to God for the removal of evil spirits and diseases, as well as to seek blessings for a prosperous crop. People offer prayers to the deities of U Mukhai, Mulong, Mooralong, and Musniang. 

Cultural Significance of Behdienkhlam Festival

Behdienkhlam Festival holds deep cultural and spiritual importance for the indigenous communities of Meghalaya, particularly among the Jaintia people. Celebrated annually, this festival symbolizes the cleansing of the land from evil spirits, diseases, and bad luck, marking a fresh start for the community. It reflects the harmonious relationship between humans and nature, emphasizing respect for the environment and ancestral traditions. Through vibrant rituals, music, dance, and communal participation, Behdienkhlam strengthens social bonds and preserves the unique cultural heritage of the region. This festival also serves as a reminder of the community's agricultural roots, as it is often held during the sowing season to invoke blessings for a bountiful harvest.

Behdienkhlam Festival Celebrations

The festival's opening ritual involves offering a pig to the thunder god, known as "Knia Pyrthat." After that, a priest by the name of "wasan" rang a bell and made his way up the town's main road to the outside of the settlement, where the forest started. This area is regarded as a sacred woodland. The villagers then take fallen tree trunks from this sacred forest, leave them in the wilderness for a couple of days, and then return to retrieve them and bring them back to the village with great ceremony. These are placed both in front of homes and in each community. 'Khnong' is the name given to these. 

Each hamlet in the district of Jainta constructs 'raths' or 'rots,' which are large buildings constructed of bamboo wood that are typically 30 to 40 feet tall, as part of the celebration of the Behdienkhlam festival. These are creatively embellished with tinsel, coloured paper, and other ornaments. ''Aitnar'' is the name of a sacred pool where these rots are carried in a procession by muscular young men. Then, as a sacrifice to the gods, these bamboo poles are tossed into the pool's water. The young men then begin to dance while attempting to balance themselves on the logs. 

In addition, a unique game with a wooden ball that is played similarly to football is played to honour the event. ''Dad-Lawakor'' is the name of this game. The winners of the game are said to get special favours from the gods. In a ritual called "Cher iung blai," where a thatched hut is created from grass and bamboo, demons are also killed symbolically. Male tribe members enter the thatched hut with spears and slaughter the demons there as a symbolic act. 

In a religious hunting ritual known as "beh ser soopen," hunters spread out into the forest after the priest gives them instructions on where to go for the best game. He accomplishes that by cracking an egg. The meat of the hunted animal is then given to everyone in the hamlet before being brought to the altar.  

On the final day of the festival, a priest and young people from the community go door to door, climb up onto each roof, and beat the roofing with a bamboo stick in an effort to ward off evil spirits. The constructed "Khnong" is then demolished. The residents of the residence present this group with home-brewed rice beer.

How is Behdienkhlam Festival Celebrated? 

During this occasion, men beat the tops of their houses with bamboo poles as a symbolic gesture to drive away evil spirits and sickness. The "Daloi" community's prominent religious figures execute religious rites with offerings to ancestors and clans. A rite called as "Cher iung blai" is performed in which male tribal members enter a newly constructed thatched hut of grass and bamboo with spears and slaughter the demons inside metaphorically. 

Dad-lawakor, a game similar to football, is played with a wooden ball. Another traditional game is Iatan-Bhang, which involves a tussle between two opposing groups of people over a large, stripped wooden log over Wah-eit-nar, a muddy trench in which participants spread mud on one another. On the final day of the celebration, polished logs of wood and bamboo constructions are carried through the neighbourhoods and immersed in Aitnar, a central pool of mud. People dress up and dance to drums in the Aitnar. Women do not dance and instead sacrifice food to their forefathers' ghosts. 

Key Rituals and Practices During Behdienkhlam

The Behdienkhlam Festival is distinguished by a series of vibrant and symbolic rituals aimed at warding off evil spirits and ensuring prosperity. One of the most notable practices involves young men beating the roofs of houses with bamboo poles, symbolizing the expulsion of negativity from the community. Animal sacrifice, particularly of pigs, is performed on the festival's first day as an offering to deities. The festival is also famous for the dramatic and competitive “Rots” procession, where two groups carry massive, brightly colored wooden poles in a ritualistic battle representing the struggle between good and evil forces. Traditional dances, accompanied by indigenous drums and flutes, are performed in colorful costumes and headgear, showcasing the rich artistic heritage of the Jaintia people. These rituals not only invoke spiritual blessings but also reinforce cultural identity and communal harmony.

Legends of the Festival

The celebration of Behdienkhlam is a celebration of the relationship between humans and nature. The festival has an interesting legend attached to it. The area that is currently known as Jowai is thought to have originally been a luxuriant forest with no human presence. Only five deities lived there, and only one of them was a river nymph. The other four were stone gods. These five gods desired interaction with humans, and by luring the Mongolian tribes to the area, they were able to fulfil their desire. The eldest of the deities, called U-Mokhai, revelled in the presence of humanity for the first time, and in his joyous dance caused great thunder and lightning. The people were so alarmed by this that they began to leave the village. They were told not to be afraid when U-Mokhai suddenly materialised in front of them and urged them to remain back. The annual celebrations known as Behdienkhlam officially started at this point. These four gigantic stones are still present today and are kept secure in the village's four corners.

Best Places to Experience Behdienkhlam Festival

To truly immerse yourself in the spirit of Behdienkhlam Festival, visiting the heartland of the Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya is essential. The town of Jowai, the district headquarters, is the epicenter of the celebrations and offers the most authentic and vibrant festival experience. Here, you can witness the full spectacle of the rituals, traditional music, dance, and the famous “Rots” procession. Surrounding villages such as Nongkhlaw, Mynthong, and Laitkynsew also host their own unique versions of the festival, providing a more intimate glimpse into local customs. Visitors during the festival season can engage with locals, enjoy traditional cuisine, and explore the scenic beauty of Meghalaya’s hills and forests, making the Behdienkhlam Festival not only a cultural feast but also an unforgettable travel experience.

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