Hindu rituals resume at Meghalaya’s Mawjymbuin Cave as KSP offers puja on Maha Shivratri

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 27, 2025

Guwahati-based Hindu rights group Kutumba Surakshya Parishad (KSP), which has been vocal against the ban on Hindu rituals at the Mawjymbuin Cave Shivling in Meghalaya, successfully offered puja to Mahadev Shiva at the sacred site on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on Wednesday.

KSP president Satya Ranjan Bora, accompanied by a team from the organization, visited the cave and performed the puja, marking a significant moment in the resolution of the long-standing issue.

The dispute began on August 6, 2024, when the local darbar of Mawjymbuin imposed a ban on Hindu rituals at the Shivling, sparking tension and widespread discussions.

Determined to seek a resolution, KSP persistently pursued the matter. After several months of negotiations, a breakthrough was achieved in a crucial meeting held on January 3, 2025, at the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner’s office. The meeting, attended by KSP representatives, Meghalaya government officials, and local darbar members, led to an agreement reinstating the right to worship at the site.

In adherence to the agreement, the KSP team conducted their prayers at the Shivling without using materials such as diyas, dhup, flowers, or fruits, focusing instead on a purely spiritual offering.

Satya Ranjan Bora led the prayers through “Naam Jaap,” incorporating various mudras of Bhakti to highlight the spiritual essence of the occasion.

Following the prayer, Bora expressed deep gratitude to the East Khasi Hills district administration and the local community for their cooperation. “I am delighted and honored to witness the warmth and hospitality of the local people. Their willingness to welcome and interact with us made this experience truly remarkable. As citizens of a diverse and secular nation, it is our moral, ethical, and constitutional duty to respect one another and foster unity to strengthen our national integrity and social harmony,” he stated.

Bora also extended his heartfelt Maha Shivratri wishes to all stakeholders and the people of Meghalaya, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and unity among different communities.