Shillong, July 13: Behdienkhlam festival one of the indigenous religious festivals of the Jaintia tribals (Pnar) community in Jaintia hills district kick start today with religious ceremonies. The festival will conclude on Sunday with religious ceremonies and dancing at a pool called ‘eit nar’.

The festival is celebrated in the month of July after sowing season is over as an expression to overcome the destructive forces of nature including diseases and an invocation to God for good health and good harvest.
Behdienkhlam is celebrated all over the Jaintia hills, and the main is in the town of Jowai, about 64 km away from Shillong. The ‘Niamtre’ (traditional faith) or Hinduism observes this festival.