The ‘Sacred Forest or Grove’ is situated in the village of Mawphlang, East Khasi Hills district, 25 kilometers away from Shillong, the Capital City of Meghalaya, India. It is well preserved by the native since ancient times as a part of their religious beliefs. This Mawphlang Sacred forest which literally means mass - covered stone.

About the Sacred Forest

This ‘Sacred Grove or Forest’ has been more than 1000 years, which is protected under the members of  Law Lyngdoh Clan. The Sacred groves preserved is spread over 80 hectares of land covering some 192 acres. There are many exotic plants and mushrooms which can be found only in this forest.

Rules of Sacred Forest

The protecting deity will punish you if one break the rules.

“Nothing is allowed to be taken out of this hollowed forest. Yes nothing, Not even a single leaf, stone, twig or a dead log." Failing to comply may lead to serious illness or death. As per the information from the guide, the Army in 1970 once tiled to take dead logs out from this forest but failed to do so as the truck refused to Start. 

When you are standing outside the forest, a lush yellowish - green grassland from far and then suddenly a thick forest like Alice the Wonderland.

As soon as you enter the thick forest, the temperature automatically dips down while outside was left out hot. The drastic changes in temperature in such a short distance is amazing: Before entering the ‘Sacred Forest' one will find these monolith structure - standing stone refers as male and the flat stone known as female.

Firstly, Ancestral used to worship by paying utmost respect to the elders before entering the- forest.

Secondly, Law Lyngdoh Sacred Grove or Lawkyntang is the technical name of this forest. It is named after the priest or ruling Clan of Mawphlang or Lyngdoh Clan.

Thirdly, they Created this grove and dedicated it to their Spirit God –‘U Rynkew U Basa’ or commonly called as ‘Deity’.

According to the legend, ancestors of Langblah clan (Jaintia Hills) came to this area of Mawphlang. They used to worship the almighty God ‘Labasa', God told them to find Khnah Nongsai than Good told that she is destined to be the queen of Mawphlang. Nobody in this area knew her at that point of time. They started searching for her but unfortunately not even a single elders could able to find her and they run out of the time. They pray again to ‘deity’ or ‘Labasa'. The deity give hint that she is living in Laitsohma with husband. Then the elders visit her home and asks her to rule the Mawphlang as per the prophecy . But she decline the proposal, everyone in the village was shocked by the reply for not accepting as a queen. Then, she demands a proposal to plant two saplings each in ‘Laitsoima’ and ‘Mawphlang’.  So, the plant two sapling each in this two village where the plant grows two sapling she decided to live there.

In Mawphlang both Sapling grew well while in Laitsohma only one grow. Nongsai agrees and makes a sacred place in Mawphlang from where the Lyngdoh Clan is born . She again plant trees around those two sappling and named after a ‘Sacred Forest’  is born. 

When Nongsai used to pray at that particular place the ‘Labasa’ commands that her son should be the Chief of Lyngdoh. So, till today every Chief in this village is coronated at this place. It is believed that if the spirit God is happy with the elected chief then on that day of  Coronation the sun Shines brightly and if he is Unhappy or not accepted by the deity then the rain comes on the day of the Coronation.

One of the Peculiar Plant that you can spot inside is the plant, which is very poisonous and a twig that looks like head of Cobra. Inside the forest one will see two stone i.e. one alter is for elders and second altar is for animal sacrifice. In ancient times they used to sacrifice the bull but now a days, they used to sacrifice cock, lambs etc. in-order to make their wishes come true. If one enter the forest without having all the proper materials needed for the sacrifice, it cannot happen as it will displease ‘God’ or the ‘Labasa’.

As one continues to trek, you will see a standing stone like a long table or a stone standing. This is a place of preparation for the ritual in other words they called it as "Knia" or the checking point. Once you enter the main ritual place you will find the oldest true called as "Phi Phanti” where the manual worship takes place. In this rituals only the male (hindus ) with mustache were allowed to perform. From what I have heard from the guide – If the La Basa or the deity sent the leopard it is a good sign and if the God of the forest sent in the form of snake than it is assume as as bad sign which means the wishes or the prayers conducted was not by the deity. So, they have to take the ritual again until the deity accepted their wishes. 

Inside the Sacred grove, there is also an abundance of flora and fauna. It is home to Over 300 species of plants, more than 400 mushrooms, at least 25 types orchids many of which are said to be therapeutic properties.  Rudraksha trees can be found in great numbers and it is being considered holy by the Hindus. Also, there are local pines known as native pine ( rhododendrons and Kapal) which is used to cure ashma, used to make perfume . Himalayan pines is also used to cure Brest Cancer. The only audible sounds are the melodious calls of Songbirds, dragonflies, the gurgling of forest streams.

Is Sacred Forest Dangerous? 

In 1950, the local villager stop the ritual and they shifted it to the top of the mountain where no other tourists are allowed. So, chill out the guide of the local Khasi who knows the forest better will be in the back foot of yours. So follow his instruction and you will be at a safer place. Once you enter the forest you won't regret or think that you are in danger. So go for it without a single thought and experience the adventure of Mawphlang Sacred Forest.

Content Writer- Wapangla Ozukum