Lum Sohpetbneng pilgrimage concludes at foothill of Sohpetbneng peak

A Reporter

SHILLONG: The annual pilgrimage to Lum Sohpetbneng concluded on Sunday with the marking of lime on the boulder at the arched entrance in the foothill of Sohpetbneng peak.

Thousands of people from all over the Khasi-Jaintia Hills belonging to the indigenous tribal faith – Seng Khasi – thronged the sacred “U Lum Sohpetbneng” (vel of the earth) atop the 1,344-metre high peak, about 16 km from Shillong, on Sunday to offer their obeisance to god with traditional rituals and rites, dances and songs.

It may be mentioned that every year on the first Sunday of February, the Seng Khasi believers trek for almost an hour and a half to reach this “vel of the earth” where they believe once lay the “Golden Stairs” known as “Ka Jingkieng Ksiar” which connects heaven and earth.

There is deep-rooted belief of the Khasi people that they belong to the sixteen huts dear to God.

The inhabitants of these huts descended from their heavenly abode to earth and back to the heavens through a golden bridge, atop the sacred peak. However, the golden ladder was broken when sin crept into earth.

According to legends, the sub-tribes of the Khasi race – Khynriam, Pr, Bhoi, War, Maram, Lyngngam and the now-extinct Diko of Meghalaya – are collectively known as Ki Hynniewtrep, which means “Seven Huts” referring to the seven families, the first settlers on earth. The sacred peak is said to be a repository of ancient wisdom and the fountain head of religious philosophy which is shrouded in sacredness and sanctity.

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