Mawsmai Cave

Meghalaya is one of those states of India that has an extensive network of underground caves, some of which are still undiscovered. Mawsmai Cave is at a stone’s throw away from Sohra (Cherrapunjee) and 57 km from Shillong in the little village of Mawsmai. There is a network of underground caves which is full of beautiful and sometimes scary stalactites and stalagmites. Contrary to usual tourist spots, the cave was pretty deserted and only a few groups were out there to explore. It costs you INR 20 as the entry fee. There is a short hike through the forest to reach the main entrance of the cave. This hike takes you through some stunning views of the valley that is full of waterfalls during monsoons, and an occasional café playing local Khasi music.
There are entire groups of cave explorers that exist in Meghalaya and Shillong. Our guide told us about cave networks in Jaintia Hills that are yet undiscovered and even the most ace of cave explorers would think twice before entering them. Some of the offbeat shafts of narrow tunnels inside the Mawsmai Cave were clearly marked as prohibited to people like us. I stood at the entrance of one of those and saw the light of my torch disappear into infinity. It gave me goose pimples of nervousness as well as excitement to imagine what lied inside these forbidden tunnels.
I have scared you enough. Don’t be, the access to main cave system is safe, well marked by safety signs and well lit by artificial light for us to see the fossils. Yes, fossils of pre-historic creatures preserved in time on the walls of the cave. While I was inside the cave, I felt how small I am as a human being in front of this might of nature, and how easily it could swallow me any time. Yet again I realised that how ignorant and petty we humans are because we try to control and conquer nature. It reminded me of something that challenges the whole hue and cry about environmental conservation—‘It is not us who have to protect nature. It is the nature that is protecting us. And if it wished, it could wipe us out any time.’