"Kherai" is a term used by Bodo people of Bathou religion to worship their God and is practised by generation to generation. For the welfare of the society, to protect the people from evil eyes, to unite the people to increase their strength, to bring peace in their life “Kherai” is practised at least once in a year. There are many stories for which the people called it "Kherai". Among them the famous "Zara Pagla" story is believed to be the main reason of Bodo people practising "Kherai". "Zaara Pagla" was the name of old man who had 7 sons & 7 daughters-in-law living happily in one village. Among in-law the youngest was the most beautiful & most well mannered so the old man used to love her most. But his love for his daughter in-law became the main reason of disturbing their happy living life. Soon the rest in-law used to envious of youngest in-law and they started to spread the rumours of father-daughter-in-law relationship. The innocent & most soft hearted youngest in-law could not bear it & one day she left his husband's home without informing anyone. Everyone searched for her in villages, jungles & everywhere but she was not found. One day the old man decided to worship "Karnai Mwdai"(God who has the power to hide peoples, pleasures & many things) to get his daughter-in-law back. After they performed all the rituals to please “Karnai Mwdai” they found their in-law back and once again lived happily in their life and thus the practising of Kherai which is said to be transformed from the word "Karnai" is becoming their main occasion celebrated every year.  |
| Daudini dancing accompanied by music played by men |
Kherai is performed only in the night and is generally start around 9 pm and continue until around 7 am next morning.The three persons who are the main responsible to perform Kherai are-
1) “Oja”- A person who enchants mantras to God
2) “Deuri” – A person who make all arrangements for Kherai
3) “Daudini”- A spiritual woman who possessed God in her body
It is believed that there are 15-18 “Mwdai”(God) who are requested to come by enchanting mantras by “Oja” and they possessed the body of the woman who is called “Daudini” and she use to perform many different dances as per which “Mwdai” possesses her body. The process of “Mwdai” possessing the woman’s body is said to be “Daudini Jakhangnai”. During “Daudini Jakhangnai” the woman uses to convey God’s message to public and sometimes demands the thing which is the most favourite of God who possess her body.
1) “Oja”- A person who enchants mantras to God
2) “Deuri” – A person who make all arrangements for Kherai
3) “Daudini”- A spiritual woman who possessed God in her body
It is believed that there are 15-18 “Mwdai”(God) who are requested to come by enchanting mantras by “Oja” and they possessed the body of the woman who is called “Daudini” and she use to perform many different dances as per which “Mwdai” possesses her body. The process of “Mwdai” possessing the woman’s body is said to be “Daudini Jakhangnai”. During “Daudini Jakhangnai” the woman uses to convey God’s message to public and sometimes demands the thing which is the most favourite of God who possess her body.
