Hinduism in Meghalaya

Hinduism is a minority religion in the Meghalaya state of India constituting 12% of the state's population. The Nartiang Durga Temple in Meghalaya is one of the 51 Shakti peethas on Earth and is considered by Hindus of Meghalaya as the permanent abode of Goddess Durga. Hinduism is a popular religion practice by Rabhas, Hajongs, Kochs, Rajbongshis, Mikirs, Bengalis, Nepalis, Biharis etc.

History
During medieval period of 17th century, Meghalaya's Khasi, Jaintia and neighbouring tribes hill areas came under the Jaintia kingdom. The Jaintia king Jaso Manik (1606–1641 A.D.) had married Lakshmi Narayana, the daughter of the Hindu Koch king Nara Narayan of neighbouring Kamata Kingdom. It is believed that it was his wife Lakshmi Narayana who have influenced the Jaintia Royalty King Jaso Manik and his tribe to embrace Shakti sect of Hinduism as she herself was an ardent devotee of Goddess Durga. Jaintia King Dhan Manik had made Nartiang the summer capital of the Khasi-Jaintia Kingdom about 6 centuries ago. One night, the goddess appeared in his dream and informed him of the significance of this place and told him to build a temple in her honour. Following this, the Jainteshwari temple in Nartiang was established. The temple's strategic location and presence of weapons like cannons suggests that it must have been a fort of the Jaintia Kings in the past. According to legends, Devi's left thigh is believed to have fallen at Nartiang in the Jaintia Hills. It is one of the holiest sites for devotees of the Shaktism sect of Hinduism across the world. The Goddess came to be known as "Jainteshwari devi" in native Pnar language.



Before 20th Century, the majority of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo hills of Meghalaya were primarily the followers of their native tribal religions which bears some similarities with that of Hindu religion specially the ethnic religion of Austro-Asiatic Khasi-Pnar people, known by the name (Ka Niamtre). In Khasi festival Behdeinkhlam, Lukhmi have strong links with larger Vedic Civilization. The Khasi tribal goddess Lukhmi/Lukhimai is believed to be “tribalised” form of Hindu goddess Lakshmi. Also during that festival, the rot (which was basically made up of Bamboo and wood and are tall tower like structures) cast away after the religious festivities are over which bears some similarities with the worship of the Hindu deity Jagannath which also involves similar structures which are called rath (chariot). In Syndai, a large Ganesha sculpture have been found carved out on a large rock, the local Khasi-Jaintia villagers call it “U Khmi” and revered it. The Mawjymbuin Cave of Mawsynram resembles the 'Shivalinga' similar to that of Amarnath cave. It is one of the holiest site in Shaivism. The Local villagers have preserved the Shivalinga for years. During the time of Kanwar Yatra (An annual pilgrimage of devotees of Lord Shiva), utmost spiritual fervour is seen among the people.

Festivals
Hinduism is practiced by different groups of Meghalaya. Hindus celebrate many festivals in Meghalya. Diwali, Behdienkhlam, Navaratri, etc. are celebrated by people. Navaratri and other Goddess Pujas are celebrated mainly by Bengali people. Diwali is celebrated by almost all Hindus. In Jowai, Behdienkhlam is a harvest festival celebrate by the Niamtre believers. This festival is popular among non-Christian Pnar people.

Many other Hindu festivals celebrate Hindus like Makar Sankranti, Diwali, Holi, Navaratri,etc.

Important Temples and Shrines
In Meghalaya, there is Shaktipeeth at Jaintia hills in Nartiang. Here, Shakti is worshipped as Jayanti and Bhairava is worshipped as Kamadishwar. There many native Brahmins who caretakes temple and organises ritual programs. According to people, this Shakti peetha is only one on Earth which is abode of Durga

Hajong Tradition
Hajong people practice Hinduism from long time. They worship specific Avatars(equivalent to Hindu deities). Ex.- Dyao is derived from Sanskrit word- (देव Deva,modern Indian languages- Dev/Deo).
 * Lakshmi-Lukkhi Dyao
 * Vishnu-Bishnu Dyao
 * Shiv-Shib Dyao
 * Kartikeya-Katka Dyao

Rabha people
Rabha people's religious world is pervaded with various spirits and natural objects. The main deity of the Rabhas is called Rishi. Rishi, for the forest Rabhas as well as village Rabhas, is a male deity. He is also known as Mahakal. Forest Rabhas worship him in all important social and religious ceremonies.

Demographics
Hinduism constituted 13.27 percent of Meghalaya's population in 2001 and it decreased to 11.53 percent in 2011. Hindus are mainly found in West Garo Hills district with 19%, East Khasi Hills District with 17.50% and the Ri-Bhoi District with 12%. Hinduism is followed by 42% of the population of Shillong.

Percentage in Groups
According to 2011 census there are 342,078 Hindus living in Meghalaya accounting constituting 11.53% of the state population after Christianity. Meghalaya Scheduled Tribe Population is 2,555,861 (86% of the state population), out of which 122,141 people among them follow Hinduism, while Non-ST population is 411,028, out of which 219,937 of them follow Hindu faith.

Hinduism is practiced by these following groups:-
 * Hajong people (38,576 – Of which 98.65% Hindu),
 * Koch people (22,716 – Of which 99.02% Hindu),
 * Rajbongshi people,
 * Rabha tribe (32,662 – Of which 94.95% Hindu),
 * Karbi People (Mikir people) (19,289 – Of which 79% Christian and 21% Hindu),
 * Nepali people (54,834 - Of which 90% Hindu and 10% Buddhist),
 * Bengali people (190,882 - Of which 60% Hindu and 40% Muslim),
 * Punjabi people (4,540 - Of which 70% Sikh and 30% Hindu),
 * Marwari people (17,405 - Of which 80% Hindu and 20% Jain),
 * Bihari people (30,611 - Of which 85% Hindu and 15% Muslim),
 * Jaintia people (316,852 - Of which 60% Christian and 40% following tribal religion "Ka Niamtre" with some elements of Hinduism in it),
 * Khasi people (1,411,775, of which only 10,302, 0.73% of the ethnic's population follows Hindu religion),
 * Garo people (821,026, of which only 4,776, 0.58% of the ethnic's population follows Hindu religion)

Persecution
Hindu percentage in Meghalaya have declined from 18.49% in 1971 to 11.53% in 2011 census (A decline of -6.96% in four decades).

The Non-ST Hindu minority are being targeted, attacked and murdered by Christian tribals since from the time of the creation of Meghalaya in 1972. The Hindu minority of the state do not enjoy equal rights and there is widespread hatred, discrimination and intolerance against them which were perpetrated by local Khasi Students Union. The Bengali Hindus in Meghalaya are often treated as Bangladeshis or outsiders (Dkhar). They have been running away, leaving the state in large numbers since from 1972.

Three ethnic-religious riots between the indigenous Christian tribes and the non- tribals mostly Hindus have taken place in the year 1979, 1987 and 1992 respectively. In 1979 almost 20 thousands Hindu Bengalis were displaced from Meghalaya following attacks by local Khasis. In 1987, almost 2.7 thousand Nepalis and Biharis were displaced from Meghalaya following land disputes with Christian tribals. Again in 1992, around 3 thousand Nepalis quit Meghalaya following clashes between Khasis and non-tribals during Dusherra. In 2018, there were repeatedly violence against Mazhabi Sikh which were perpetrated by local Khasis and Khasi Students Union members in around Shillong city. In 2020, The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has issued an ultimatum to all the Hindu-Bengalis to leave Ichamati and Majai areas at Shella in East Khasi Hills within one month which have ultimately lead to clashes between Hindu Bengalis and Khasi Christian tribals resulting in one death and several injuries.