Shillong, July 9 -- Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday participated as the chief guest in the sacred celebrations of Behdienkhlam, one of Meghalaya's most vibrant and spiritually significant indigenous festivals, at Jowai in the West Jaintia Hills district.

According to an official release, Behdienkhlam is celebrated annually by the Pnar (Jaintia) community during the month of July following the sowing season. The festival is both a religious and agrarian celebration, observed to seek divine blessings for a bountiful harvest while praying for protection from disease, misfortune and evil forces.

The term Behdienkhlam literally translates to "driving away the plague" or "chasing away disease."

Speaking on the occasio...