Shillong, July 14: The four-day annual cultural festival, “Behdieñkhlam” in Meghalaya’s Jaiñtia Hills concluded on Sunday.

Held every year at Jowai town, the headquarters of West Jaiñtia Hills district, thousands of men, both young and old danced together in muddy water of Pung Aitnar on the concluding day of the festival. Behdienkhlam is celebrated in the month of July for good health, property and bumper harvest.

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, along with other ministers and MLAs, Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court attended the festival.

In his address, the chief minister spoke about the importance of culture and festivals in the state including Behdeiñkhlam and how to promote and preserve them further.

He also assured government support to promote various festivals that are there in the state.

O.R. Challam, President, Seiñraij Jowai, thanked the DoNER Minister for attending the four-day festival which has very strong, emotional, sentimental, cultural and spiritual importance for the people of the region.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also released a book “Traditional Systems of Jaiñtia Community, Change and Continuity”.