Mawsynram dorbar shnong to continue prohibiting worshipping at Mawjymbuin cave

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 3, 2025

The dorbar shnong of Mawsynram village on Friday maintained that it would not cow down to any pressure but will continue to strictly prohibit worshipping inside the Mawjymbuin cave, since it is a tourist spot.

Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting convened by the East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner RM Kurbah, assistant rangbah shnong and spokesperson of the dorbar Hiamdor Rapsang said that the dorbar shnong is the rightful owner of the Mawjymbuin cave and from the very beginning no worshipping is allowed inside the cave.

“Since the beginning and till date, we don’t allow any group to come and perform religious rituals inside the cave,” he said.

Stating that there is no ban for people to visit the cave, Rapsang said, “However, any individual or group of people can visit the cave but they should respect the rules of the dorbar shnong, which we strongly prohibited worshipping inside the cave and to make the cave as a mandir or a temple as the cave is a tourist spot. We have to respect every visitor, who comes to the cave.”

Referring to incidents in the past where people come and perform rituals forcefully inside the cave, the assistant rangbah shnong said, “In the past, they have come and pour milk and burn essence and flowers – have led to the dirtying of the cave and its surrounding. Therefore, the dorbar shnong has engaged volunteers to see that these things are not allowed as we want to preserve and protect the cave.”

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“If people violates the rules, the dorbar shnong will take action as per law,” he also warned.

According to him, the cave is open to all visitors from 9 am to 5pm everyday.

Asked, Rapsang said, “These people want us to give permission for them to perform religious rituals but we denied because the cave is not a place of worshipping. We have made it clear they can come to visit but they have to strictly follow the rules of the dorbar shnong.”

He said that the KSP has been misled on the issue relating to the cave.

“However, when they (KSP) came here today they also admitted that. From all parts of India, people are coming to Mawjymbuin cave, especially during their special weeks. When they saw the signboard where we displayed the conditions, they say that they are satisfied that they got to visit the place. If it is their temple, they can do whatever they want but since it is a tourist spot, how can they convert it into a temple, especially when it is a property of others?” he asked while maintaining the firm stand of the dorbar shnong that: “We will stick to our rules no matter what. Let pressure comes from any quarter, we will stick and abide by the rules of the dorbar shnong.”

Further, Rapsang said that meeting has resolved that the entire issue was a misunderstanding because there is no ban imposed on visiting the Mawjymbuin cave.

“The KSP Assam are being misled as there are individuals, who are trying to mislead them that worshipping is allowed inside the cave (which is totally wrong),” he stated.