Kherai is a famous religious dance performed by the Bodo tribe, the earliest settlers in Assam. This dance form is an integral part of Bathow (Lord Shiva) worship. The word Kherai means ‘bow down in prayer’.
The Bodo community of Darrang District celebrates the Bathow worship one time in a year. Kherai is performed in five stages during this occasion, and is extremely colorful. Bodo girls dress up in colorful clothings and dance to the tune of traditional musical instruments.
Before starting the dance, the place is made sacred by sweeping, mopping and scattering water with tulashee leaves over the place. Tender Banana leaf is also used as a symbol of welcome. At the end of this presentation, the performers dance covering the place and praise the god.
