Shillong, July 16: Come Friday and all roads will lead to Jowai where the annual Behdienkhlam festival of the Pnars of Jaintia hills will be celebrated.

The atmosphere at Jowai town, 70 km from here, is palpable as each and every believer of the niamtre (traditional religion) is busy putting up an act to showcase the deeply-rooted religious values which have kept alive this age-old tradition of the Pnars.

The festival has attracted several researchers on culture, sociology and history over the years. “This is one festival, which has always attracted me because it is so similar to the Rathyatra,” said Mario Fernandez, a research scholar who has been following the carnival closely.

Time actually stands still in Jowai during this time. The markets are cleaned and overhead cables removed to allow the giant 40-feet traditional chariots to pass through the streets of Jowai.

Pujas to the Deing Khlam (a holy tree), daily rituals and ceremonies have already started in households, which follow the niamtre.

This year, the organisers have promised lots of colour and best tableaux from all over the state.

Apart from traditional motifs, the most dominating theme will be world peace, that of good triumphing over evil, they said. “This theme is all-important, despite modernity creeping into the festival,” said Rimaya Laloo, a resident of Jowai. “We have kept the tradition going despite the western influence,” another resident said.

The Pnars of Jaintia hills have always resisted any move to modernise their festivals. “We are proud of our tradition and want people to see that we do not thrive on borrowed culture,” said Tiyaiaka Tariang, supervising the over 100-foot-tall wooden structures made of tree stumps, usually placed either on top of drums or a globe.

To outsiders, Jowai resembles a carnival town where everybody is busy erecting the most beautiful rath ever.

As the festival begins, men and children dance in a frenzy to the beats of the bom and the sweet sound of bhuri (drums and flute).

Finally, the raths are immersed in a slushy pool at the Aitnar ground in the heart of Jowai town.

2 killed in bus mishap

Two persons were killed and 10 injured when a bus travelling from Silchar to Guwahati fell into a 15-feet gorge at Pomura near Mawryngkyneng in East Khasi Hills district today.

Police said the toll could rise as six of the injured are in a critical condition.

One of the persons killed is Sumit Pal while the other is yet to be identified. Their bodies are yet to be retrieved from the gorge.

The injured, Binoy Nath, Anil Gupta, Nobindro Sen, Md. Karim Hussian, Sunita Bala Gupta, Jayanta Gupta, Jab Kassar, Robin Wahlang, Sailandra Biswar and driver Rakesh Sharma, have been hospitalised.

Police said the accident occurred when the bus, which was travelling at a high speed, hit a roadside wall and fell into the gorge.