The North-Eastern state of Meghalaya is famous for its nature tourism, and at the heart of it is a forest; renowned, pristine, and breathtakingly beautiful Mawphlang Sacred Forest. The Mawphlang Sacred Forest is located along the base of the East Khasi Hills near the Mawphlang village.
The Sacred Forest is home to many tropical, deciduous trees, shrubs, plants and animals. The forest also houses many medicinal plants that are said to cure diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, etc. There are orchids, carnivorous pitcher plants, unique mushrooms, etc. seen in the forest. There are many animal species in the forest too.
The Sacred Forest in Mawphlang is as much of a cultural site as it is an eco-tourism spot. Within the luscious greeneries and the amazing view, lies the history of the Khasi tribe and their beliefs, deity, revenue, and their lives. The Mawphlang forest in Meghalaya spans over 192 acres and has been brought to the limelight recently following the need for conservation of forests, and is now a tourist hotspot.
The Legend
One of the most famous forests in the state, the Mawphlang Sacred Forest has strong historic and religious ties to the village. Many stories and legends are surrounding the forest among the local folks, and many are devout believers of the supernatural force residing inside the forest.
The imperative rule about the forest among the Khasi people is that “nothing goes out of the forest”. The legend is that anybody who tries to take anything out of the forest will be affected adversely which may even be fatal at times. They have many stories to back the claim and villagers abide by this unwritten rule.
Many believers still conduct sacrifices of animals in the ancient sacrificial grounds to appease the deity and ask for favours. The forest is also the ceremonial ground of the tribal people from the times of their ancestors and is a part of the Mawphlang Sacred Forest History.
Things to do in Mawphlang Sacred Forest
The Sacred Grove is a visual treat and there are many activities available in the area where you can get to experience the greenery, the calming ambience of the area. So, here are some of the top things to do and experience while in Mawphlang Sacred Forest.
Trails
If you truly want to indulge in the scenic beauty of the forest, you have to go on a trek through the forest trail or the David Scott Trail. These trails offer a walk alongside Mother Nature and are a refreshing experience for nature lovers.
A trek through the forest trail in the Mawphlang Sacred Forest is one of the first items to cross off your to-do list while in Meghalaya. The trail offers some of the most amazing views you’ve ever seen, and much indigenous flora and fauna will be shown and explained to you. You can see structures and trees that have been said to exist for over 1000 years. The guide will explain every speciality of the forest as you move further into the trail. The tall tree canopies, the thick undergrowth, the abundance of life, and the greenery will bring you unexplainable bliss. While on the trail, you get to see how the lives of most of the village are interlinked to the forest.
Another famous trail of the area is the David Scott trail. This adventure-filled trekking experience is said to be one of the oldest in the area. The trail passes through the Eastern Khasi hills, and also deep valleys of River Umiam; a mesmerizing sight to behold. The 15-kilometre trail passes through many Khasi villages, sacred groves, fields, mountains, streams, bridges, ponds, etc. and is an amazing experience for nature lovers.
Monoliths
The forest has numerous monoliths situated at different spots of the forest trail. These age-old monoliths have been part of the forest, the village, and the villagers for a long time now. These are spots of worship of the locals, where they come to pray and give offerings to the local deity residing in the forest. Devotees come here and sacrifice animals as offerings, and a monolith festival is held every year. The festival time offers complete exposure to the tradition, culture and heritage of the tribals of the area.
Khasi Heritage Village
The popular spot near the Mawphlang Sacred forest where the Monolith festival is held, the Khasi Heritage Village is a seasonal tourist spot. The village is pretty empty during the off-season. The houses here are made in traditional Khasi style, including the architecture of these structures, which are copied from the original tribes from the area.
There is an archery section to the village where the traditional bow and arrows are put on display. Archery plays an important role in many of the Khasi tribes and is one of the preferred sports of the locals.
The monolith festival is conducted annually in March by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council. The festival aims to reunite the numerous clans and tribes of the area, through a display of culture, and art.
Labasa
Labasa is the local deity of the forest and is considered to be the all-powerful entity by the tribals. The deity is approached for curing the sick, and the removal of adversities and bringing good times and fortune to the village. The deity is said to take the form of tigers or leopards to protect the tribal people and the forest. Tribals often approach the monolithic stones with roosters or goats and sacrifice them as offerings to Labasa. The tribals also cremate their dead in the forest by burning them.
The deity and the stories around it are a part of the Khasi culture and show how intertwined their lives are with the Sacred Groves. The forest is not only a gold mine of natural beauty but also of historic and anthropological information.
Working hours and Fees
The forest is open for exploration and trekking between 8 am- 6 pm every day. At Mawphlang Sacred Forest, humans and nature coexist in harmony. The animals in the forest don't attack humans and if you stick to the trail, there will be no harm caused whatsoever.
There is an entry fee to enter the sacred forest. Visitors have to pay 10 rupees per person, and additional charges such as 10 rupees for allowing cameras and 50 rupees for a vehicle. This fee is directed to the youth being employed as caretakers of the forest. A Khasi guide explaining the significance of each spot may charge 300 rupees for a half-hour tour and Rs. 500 for tours lasting an hour. It is mandatory to have a guide while entering the forest for security reasons. You can also go deeper into the forest following the trail but it may cost you extra.
How to Reach Mawphlang Sacred Forest
The village of Mawphlang and the forest is about 25 kilometres from the capital city of Shillong. It’s a 1-hour drive from the city and if you’re hiring a taxi, it may cost you about Rs. 1500/- for the round trip.
It may be hard to find decent lodgings near the area, so it is recommended to stay near the city if you are planning to extend your visit for days. The popular choice of stay by the visitors is the Maple Pine Farm bed and breakfast.
