I had heard of Mawsmai Cave even before I headed to Shillong. Last year another colleague had done this trip and was singing praises of it. So I was looking forward to our day off and our trip to Cherrapunji. The route was scenic and I have discovered a new thing. I can survive on mountain routes these days with just half a Avomine and it leaves me less drowsy. That way I can enjoy the route more. As we stopped many times along the route we reached the Mawsami Caves almost at the lunch hour.
There is a small entry free (I think Rupees 20) to visit the caves. As I was saying thank you to the person at the counter he said to me, duck your head and enjoy. I laugh and said I would do so. Little did I realize how much ducking there was to do!
The Entrance, Mawsmai Caves, Cherrapunji
The entrance was wide and beautiful. The cave looked big and spacious, and talk about the first looks being deceptive! I have visited limestone caves in Andaman (near Baratang) too but somehow I never took pictures at that occasion. This time I was determined to get more pictures. At Baratang we needed a guide but here the cave is well lit and you can walk on your own.
Mawsmai Caves, Cherrapunji Meghalaya
However, what I didn’t expect was dampness and the water trickle inside. It was well lit actually and there was a bridge too at one portion. But even then at places it was wet, cold and a little airless. Best was there were passages that looked practically impassable. And one of our colleagues was really tall! And what of him, at places I thought I would not be able to squeeze through. He went out much ahead of me. In fact, I was last person to get out as I kept clicking pictures. My other colleague who just went ahead of me in the end gave me a call, asking if I would ever get out!
Mawsmai Caves, Meghalaya
This picture was taken quite close to the exit and all of us were happy to be out in the sunshine again. I asked my tall colleague how did he fare? He said was fine apart from thinking he might slip but he did not in the end.
There was another cave that was unlit but none of my colleagues showed any interest in it. So we walked away to our cab and I properly understood why the person at the counter advised us to duck our heads. The cave is quite big and full of Stalactites and Stalagmites sprouting everywhere. If you are in the region do go.
Oh, I do like exploring caves. Wonderful shots.
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so nice they look those God built limestone scriptures !! And nice capture Mridula !!
Wonderful clicks.. Awesome post.. I’m a new blogger… Do visit my blog.. http://kitchenserenity.blogspot.in/
Yes the first thing striked agter seeing your pic was Baratang ! Hope this place do not have similar humidity levels though ..
Mostly caves are dark nay pitch dark but this one stand different foot having been lit. Nice pictures and text.
Thank you Lady Fi.
Thank you Matthew will surely hop over to your blog.
Thank you My Say.
Nilu thank you for stopping by!
Manish Cherrapunji on that day didn’t remind of Baratang 😀
Thanks Easwar.
Beautiful pics and hats off to your travel mania! Keep it up..One learns much from traveling
nyc…
the scariest one by me ever was that of ardhkuwari..
Wow, interesting pics of Stalactites and Stalagmites.
This is one experience that sends shivers down my spine even today. However, this is one experience to remember for sure! Great that you did it Mridula!
interesting pictures..
Wonderful natural art…………… An eye feast……
Classic pics..i love it…
It’s interesting to see a building near the cave. There was no such building when I visited the place last – that was a decade and a half back. Tourism will naturally take away much of the pristine beauty of any place. The whole area around the cave was a jungle in the days not so long ago.
Breathtaking place..
Damn beautiful!!! I am going there … 🙂
Thanks for sharing
I really liked the way you write… This Mawsmai cave post reminded me of Kutumsar caves of Bastar. Check my post http://exploreexplore.blogspot.com/2012/12/bastar-diary-day-3-kutumsar-caves-and.html
Cheers
Rahul
Excellent post about Meghalaya …
It makes me remember my trip to that heavenly place, Cherrapunji. Soooooo beautiful!
I want some tips to maghalaya
when i went last year ,i found some abstract sculpture & wall painting all was awesome your writing helps me to go down the memory lane,good script ,thank you.
Thank you so much for stopping by.