The annual Lum Sohpetbneng pilgrimage held on February 5 drew a large crowd from the Khasi-Jaintia region.
Two years after Covid pandemic, the sanctum sanctorum was thronged by those who profess indigenous faith.
They paid obeisance to the Almighty for the well-being of all.
Traffic management was difficult as vehicular movement was more compared to those who walked to reach the holy place.
Paia Synrem, the vice chairman of the Lum Sohpetbneng committee, Seng Khasi Kmie, said Khasi and Pnar people belonging to the indigenous faith came in large numbers and prayed in the sanctum sanctorum, at the top of the sacred peak Lum Sohpetbneng .
“This is an occasion when people get a chance to pray for themselves, for their homes and the motherland so that God will protect them and bring prosperity”, he said.
Synrem said due to Covid, there was some restriction in the past wo years.
He wanted assistance from the government so that the vehicles will have better parking facilities in the area.
“We look forward to the support of the government to have a two-lane road so that this will ease traffic congestion’, he said.
As next year will be 25 years of the pilgrimage, Synrem said the organising committee will have to discuss and find ways and means to improve the infrastructure facilities to ensure smooth conduct of rituals with the participation of more people.
Visit of indigenous team from Mizoram
Fela Khiangte, who follows indegenous faith in Mizoram, led a five member team to Lum Sohpetbneng.
“It is nice to see the participation of many people here. This is a good experience for us and there are so many things which we can learn from here”, Fela said.
According to Fela, people of the state should emulate the way of life of the ancestors besides carrying on with the traditional religious practices.
“The rituals here have some similarities to our traditional religion but we used to gather in huts in Mizoram”, he said.
Fela hoped that after 10 to 20 years, the followers of Mizo indegenous faith will increase.
“I will report about the annual pilgrimage to my community and we are also keen to invite leaders from here to Mizoram”, he added.
