Latest news with #Behdienkhlam
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Behdienkhlam fest: 4-day celebration of joy & religious fervour in Jowai
Shillong: The colourful and vibrant festival of Behdienkhlam, celebrated by the Pnar (Jaintia) community, culminated in Jowai on Monday amid joy and religious fervour. It is the most important indigenous religious festival of the Jaintias and is celebrated mid-July every year after the sowing is over. 'Khlam' means 'plague or pestilence' and 'beh dien' means to drive away with sticks. The four-day celebration, which culminated on Monday, saw thousands of followers of the indigenous Niamtre faith converge at Wah Aitnar (a muddy pool), dancing to the tunes of the traditional pipes and drums, while 'Khnong', a wooden post and 'rots', tall-decorated structures of various shapes and sizes, which are the main attractions of the festival, were carried amid chants and cheers. "During the three-day rites, Dolois (village chieftains) perform a number of religious rites to chase away the evil spirits such as plague, epidemic, etc. Young men, in a symbolic gesture of driving away the evil spirits, beat the roofs of every house with bamboo poles," a resident of Jowai said. The youth of each locality display their artistic skills by erecting coloured 'rots' — 30 to 40ft tall structures built of bamboo, coloured paper and tinsel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cách giao dịch ETH/USD mà không cần nắm giữ Ether IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Competition flares as each group tries to outdo the other in making the tallest and most artistic 'rot', which displays relevant social issues. The climax of the celebrations is the tussle, as seen in a tug of war, for the 'Khnong' by two groups of people opposed to each other. The trunk along with the colourful 'rots' is then immersed in the muddy waters of the Aitnar pool. Meghalaya governor CH Vijayashankar and chief minister Conrad K Sangma greeted the people of the state, particularly the Jaintia Community, on the occasion of Behdienkhlam.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Bank Holidays in India 2025: Are banks open or closed on Monday, July 14? Full city-wise list inside
Behdeinkhlam Bank Holiday in India 2025: Public-sector banks (PSBs) and private banking institutions will be closed today, on Monday, July 14, on account of Beh Deinkhlam, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) 2025 holiday calendar. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sets bank holidays in India, following the Negotiable Instruments Act, which includes RTGS holidays, regional and national holidays, alongside the standard weekly days off, which are the second Saturday and Sunday of each month. Behdienkhlam is a significant cultural festival celebrated by the Pnar community in Meghalaya. It translates to 'driving away the plague' or 'chasing away the demon of cholera'; it is a festival that seeks to ward off evil spirits, diseases, misfortune, and invoke blessings for a good harvest and communal prosperity. The festival is observed annually in July, coinciding with the monsoon season, following the sowing period, and in 2025, it's being celebrated from July 11 to 14. Source: RBI Holiday Calendar List – 2025 Note: Banks only in Shillong have a bank holiday on July 14, 2025, for Beh Deinkhlam; all other cities remain open. It's important to note that despite the physical closure of bank branches in Shillong, essential banking services will continue to be available through digital and self-service platforms: Customers are encouraged to plan any in-branch visits around the holiday and make use of online options for uninterrupted banking.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bank holiday on July 14: Here's why banks are closed on Monday - Check state-wise list here
Bank holidays 2025: Banks across Meghalaya will be closed due to Behdienkhlam on Monday, July 14, according to the state-wise holiday calendar of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The banks in the rest of the country will remain open today, July 14, 2025. This traditional celebration is deeply rooted in Meghalaya's culture and draws large gatherings every year. Why is Behdienkhlam celebrated? The Behdienkhlam Festival is one of the oldest and most important cultural celebrations of the Pnar people, a group within the Jaintia community in Meghalaya, India. It is held every year in July, mainly in Jowai town, which is in the Jaintia Hills, around 60 km from Shillong. The festival brings happiness, togetherness, and spiritual meaning to the Pnar community, who follow the traditional Niamtre faith or Hinduism. The word "Behdienkhlam" comes from two Pnar words: "behdein" means "to drive away" and "khlam" means "plague" or "illness." The festival is held to get rid of evil spirits, sickness, and bad luck, while also praying for good health, wealth, and a rich harvest. It takes place after the sowing season, when people ask for blessings from their gods like U Mukhai, Mulong, Mooralong, and Musniang for a good crop. RBI's Bank Holiday List for July 2025 The RBI issues a monthly bank holiday list that reflects the diversity of Indian states and their cultural events. July 2025 includes 13 bank holidays, including national weekends, religious festivals, and regional events. Below is a state-wise bank holiday list for July: State-wise Bank Holidays in July 2025 July 14 (Friday) – Behdienkhlam: Banks closed in Meghalaya July 5 (Saturday) – Guru Hargobind Ji's Birthday: Banks closed in Jammu and Srinagar July 14 (Monday) – Beh Deinkhlam: Banks closed in Shillong (Meghalaya) July 16 (Wednesday) – Harela: Banks closed in Dehradun (Uttarakhand) July 17 (Thursday) – U Tirot Singh Death Anniversary: Banks closed in Shillong (Meghalaya) July 19 (Saturday) – Ker Puja: Banks closed in Agartala (Meghalaya) July 28 (Monday) – Drukpa Tshe-zi: Banks closed in Gangtok (Sikkim) Regular Weekend Bank Holidays in July 2025 Apart from regional festivals, banks across the country will also be closed on weekends. Here's the weekend holiday schedule: Second Saturday – July 12 Fourth Saturday – July 26 Sundays – July 6, 13, 20, 27 On these dates, all public and private sector banks will remain closed throughout India. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
