By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A gateway to U Lum Sohpetbneng, sacred to the Khasis, was inaugurated at Umiam on Wednesday.
The first of its kind gateway in the State has been designed by prominent architect Prabhat Sawyan and the Tourism department had sanctioned Rs 30 lakh for the project.
Unveiling the heritage gateway, convener of the Meghalaya Chapter of Indian National Trust for Arts and Culture Heritage (INTACH), AH Scott Lyngdoh said that the organization favored the declaration of Lum Sohpetbneng as one of the heritage sites of the State.
“We would like to see that the whole area of Lum Sohpetbneng is declared as a heritage site for it will ensure that stringent action can be taken against those encroaching on the land,” Lyngdoh said.
According to Lyngdoh, the formal declaration of Lum Sohpetbneng as a heritage site would take some time since the rules for implementation of the Meghalaya Heritage Act is yet to be approved by the Cabinet.
“Once the Cabinet approved the rules, they would be able to declare this whole place as a heritage site,” he said.
Lyngdoh also appreciated the initiative of the Seng Khasi for erecting the monument.
The INTACH, Meghalaya Chapter convener also informed that as per the Act, ‘Meghalaya Heritage Authority’ has been constituted with Chief Secretary as its chairman.
“The Authority would identify historical, cultural and environmental structures or sites for their conservation and a special fund would be created by the government for the same,” Lyngdoh said.
As per Khasi Mythology, U Lum Sohpetbneng symbolizes the deep rooted spiritual belief of the Hynniewtrep (people from the Seven Huts) who belong to the divine family of the Sixteen Huts and Nests, traversing through a Golden Bridge, linking heaven and earth from a top the sacred umbilical heavenly peak. They have left imprints that can be seen today in the rocks, in the vicinity of the summit.
According to divine decree, nine of the sixteen-huts and nests settled their celestial abode, while the remaining seven huts and nests called Hynniewtrep, were destined to settle on earth, as crowned rulers of other creations of the Lord Creator-U Blei.