Meghalaya has a number of limestone caves in the Garo, the Jaintia and the Khasi hills which attract thousands of tourists across the year. The longest is Krem Liat Prah in the Jaintia Hills, which is 30,957 meters. The exploration of the Caves of Meghalaya is currently undertaken for both scientific and recreational pursuits and there are still many unexplored and partially explored caves in the state. The annual caving expeditions organized by Meghalaya Adventurers Association are known as “Caving in the Abode of the Clouds Project”.
7 Famous Caves to Visit in Meghalaya
1. Krem Mawkhyrdop or Krem Mawmluh Cave
The main entrance of this famous cave is located at the bottom of the western flank of Lum Lawbah. The entrance is easily found by following the river behind the cement works of the Mawmluh Cherra Cements Limited, downstream for about 200 metres to a point where the river disappears underground.
The main sink entrance requires wading through water, which in the dry season turns into a deadly black quicksand from the effluents of the cements works. The best option to enter the cave would be through a high level bypass entrance which runs parallel to the main passage.
2. Krem Dam Cave
The impressive entrance of Krem Dam, measuring some 30 m across, lies at the foot of a large blind valley approximately 1 km to the east of Mawsynram village. A sizeable stream running down the valley enters the cave. The cave is formed in a coarse grained facies of limestone which almost looks like sandstone. The cave consists mainly of one very large river passage ending in a roof collapse where daylight can be seen. To the side of the main passage a complex maze of side passages and oxbows exist. The cave has no significant calcite formations.
3. Krem Lymput Cave
The cave lies about 6 km. from the village of Nongjri. The inconspicuous entrance hidden in the jungle covered boulders reveals itself by the cool air it blows. It is another beautiful and rather easy cave for any tourist. From the small entrance hole, the main trunk passage runs for about 1 km with inclined walls and ceiling towards west into a passage known as ‘Way to Heaven,” which is a very loose and slippery climb. It leads into a series of spacious galleries which are very rich in calcite formations. Here, the great attraction is the Mughal Room (more than 25 m wide, 25 m high, and 75 m long). This cave is 6641m in length.
4. Mawsmai Cave Cave
6 kms from the Sohra market to the south lies the village of Mawsmai in the direction of Bangladesh border. At the village crossing, one passes grasslands surrounded by forests, ending in a clearing. From this clearing, a concrete pathway through the jungle leads up to the main cave entrance. This cave is the only cave that is fully lighted. The cave can be divided into two parts (old and new). Of the two, the new cave is yet to be lighted. It has impressive formations of large passages and chambers.
5. Krem Mawjymbuin Cave
Half a kilometre before reaching Mawsynram village, a metalled road on the left leads to a parking area by the cave. The entrance chamber of some 50 metres across and 4 metres high at its centre, has a large stalactite over a female stalagmite which gives an impression of a Shiva Lingam. This cave has now become a sacred shrine for Hindu believers. A small stream flows under the left (east) wall of the chamber, around some large boulders before entering a side passage heading east which runs for about 40 m to end in a boulder collapse. A side passage leads to a second rift entrance, called Back Entrance which exits out through the rear. Another side passage at the rear of the chamber forms a series of small rift inlet passages that run north and then east for some 50 metres, before becoming too tight.
