SHILLONG, Dec 11 - The religious dance festival Ka Shad Nongkrem or Nongkrem dance was today celebrated at Smit, about 15 kilometre from here, with great fanfare.
The dance festival is observed to appease the all-powerful Goddess Ka Blei Synshar at the end of the harvest season, pray to the almighty for a bumper harvest and seek blessings for the prosperity of the people.
The Syiem (King) of Khyriem along with the high priest performs the Pomblang ceremony, where a goat is sacrificed to appease the Lei Shyllong.
One of the main attractions of the festival is the dance in which unmarried girls dressed in exotic costumes and ornaments participate. Young men also take part in the dance festival.
During the festival a fair is held in which nearby villagers sell their agricultural products.
Governor Ganga Prasad and several other dignitaries visited the festival site. In his greeting, the Governor �hoped that the festival brings in a good harvest� and he also wished �peace and prosperity� to the people.
In his message, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma expressed hope that the festival would help �preserve the cultural roots and create a strong bond of friendship and compassion to achieve lasting peace.�