Information about Beh-dien-Khlam Festival
Location: Shillong
State: Meghalaya
Capital: Shillong
Language: Khasi, Garo, English
Temperature: Max 37˚C, Min 15˚C (summer), Max 28˚C, Min 8˚C (winter)
Best Season: March to July.
How to Reach:
By Air: The nearest major airport is located at Guwahati in Assam, which is about 128 Kms from Shillong. Guwahati is well connected to Kolkata, New Delhi, Baghdogra and Bangkok by regular flights. Taxis can be hired from Guwahati Airport to Shillong. There is a helicopter service from Guwahati Airport to Shillong.
By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Guwahati, which is located at a distance of 103 Kms from Shillong.
By Road: Meghalaya Transport Corporation and Assam State Transport Corporation buses are available, that frequently ply from Guwahati to Shillong.
Among the Pnars, the most celebrated religious festival is the Beh-dien-Khlam (chasing away the Demon of Cholera). Early on the first day, young men go round the village beating on gate post of individual houses. The climax of the celebration is the tussle for a large undressed beam by two groups of people in opposition to each other. This involves getting this heavy beam across a muddy ditch called Wah-eit-nar. A lot of horse play enters into this part of the proceedings when mud is generously smeared by the participants on each other. This celebration held at Jowai is one of the most well known festivals in Meghalaya.