Behdienkhlam is a vibrant and spiritually significant festival celebrated every July by the Pnar community in Meghalaya, especially in the Jaintia Hills region. It stands as one of the most important cultural and religious events for followers of the Niamtre faith.
The term “Behdienkhlam” comes from two words in the Pnar language — “behdein”, meaning “to drive away,” and “khlam”, meaning “disease.” True to its name, the festival symbolizes the act of warding off illness and negative energies, originally commemorating the eradication of cholera. It is a time when the community comes together to pray for protection from evil spirits and for blessings of a bountiful harvest.
Celebrated after the sowing season, Behdienkhlam is not just a ritual but also a colorful dance festival filled with energy and devotion. The grandest celebrations are witnessed in Jowai (West Jaintia Hills) and Tuber Kmai. During the festivities, prayers are offered to traditional deities such as U Mukhai, Mulong, Mooralong, and Musniang.
Behdienkhlam reflects the strong spiritual beliefs of the Pnar people and their deep connection with nature, agriculture, and ancestral traditions.