SHILLONG: For any avid traveller, trekking the stony route, lined with broomsticks and other trees, to ‘U Mawryngkhang’ situated in a gorge at Wahkhen village will be a delight.
In charge of Tourism Trekking Team (TTT), Babu Kular Khongjirem said, “The government is scouting for places which can be put on the world tourism map and we are doing the same. We found the place at U Mawryngkhang, also known as the ‘King of Stones’.”
“People are surfeited with going to Mawlynnong and Shnongpdeng and want to visit some unique places,” he added.
He said that the TTT has spent its energy in making the route accessible to people and have come up with ladders and bridges made from tree branches.
He is looking forward to support from the State Government in making Wahkhen an attractive destination for rural tourism.
“The erecting stone has got a legendary story attached to it. There are three crosses inscribed on a portion of the stone as well,” he added.
Khongjirem has urged the government to bring in development in the region and to widen the roads. “If there is a delay in the road project, then we propose the cable car which will make it easier for the tourists,” he said.
He added that for outsiders it will be an hour walk while for locals it takes 40 minutes. “But it is a pleasant trekking route and would not be tough,” he added.
Philip Tariang, Information and Publicity Officer, Directorate of Tourism, said, “We did not expect that the place will turn out to be so beautiful and extraordinary.” Tariang said that he is glad that the locals are taking the initiative to make way to the stone accessible. The story behind the emerging stone will attract tourists even more. The beauty of the place and the legendary story can be clubbed together and it is not so far from Shillong.
He added that a report will be submitted to the Director on the place.
The hamlet of Wahkhen, enveloped by green hills is about 54 km away from Shillong, and 15 km from a junction of Pomlum Village from main road National Highway to the right side. The Rngain valley can be seen from the playground of the Village.
The people of the place sustain their livelihood by cultivating broomsticks, oranges and the people are hopeful that with the visit of tourists will establish the area. Mawrynghang is said to have defeated all other stones in the area during a war. A turn of events came when this King of Stone fell in love with a girl from another kingdom, Mawpator.
A battle ensued between the two stones over the girl in which U Mawpator aimed at Mawrynghang hitting him on the left arm. People said that this huge stone has no left arm but a large pit can be seen on the left side of the body.
However, Mawrynghang, with his right arm only, shot at the neck of Mawpator, and his head fell down into the river gorge, which is visible from the view point of Mawrynghang. The King of Stone won the battle and the maiden, till date, as seen stood behind him.
