SHILLONG: The virgin forests at Mawphlang caught the imagination of Thai princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on her first visit to the State.
After reaching Shillong at 2.30 pm on Wednesday with her entourage, the princess headed straight to the Sacred Groves where she was welcomed by villagers with Paila Ksiar, the Khasi jewel, and traditional music and dance. She was enamoured of the cleanliness and the uniqueness of the forest and spent a long time there taking down details of the many plants inside the groves and praising the natural abundance.
The princess, who is on a three-day visit to Meghalaya, also went to the stalls set up at Mawphlang and was inquisitive about the culture and tradition of the Khasis.
Earlier on the day, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was received by Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, Chief Secretary KS Kropha, Principal Secretary Home (Police) PK Srivastava, East Khasi Hills DC PS Dkhar and SP M. Kharkrang on her arrival at the ALG Helipad in Upper Shillong.
Later, she visited Pinewood Hotel where the princess had a short interaction with Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and others.
A cultural programme followed in the banquet hall of the hotel and a host of traditional programmes was presented for the princess. She left for Sohra thereafter.
On Thursday, she is scheduled to visit Mawlynnong, the Living Root Bridge and Shnongpdeng.
On Friday, the princess will visit Shillong again and here she will meet the Vice Chancellor of NEHU at the university. She will also visit Don Bosco Museum in Mawlai before leaving for Guwahati.
The Thai princess is on an official tour of India from November 20-25 to receive the first World Sanskrit Award at the invitation of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.
