NONGPOH, April 9: The ‘Pnah Kyndeng Sanctuary Bat Caves’, categorised as one of the most historical and famous caves in Raid Nonglyngdoh, Ri Bhoi, was officially given the tag of a tourist spot in Meghalaya after the Chairman of Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), Sanbor Shullai, inaugurated it on Friday with the collaboration of the Ri Bhoi Tourism and Environmental Developmental Forum.
According to the elders of Raid Nonglyngdoh, the tag ‘Pnah Kyndeng’ was given after a powerful deity (u Ryngkew u Basa) who is said to reside in the mountainous hill of the Raid since time immemorial.
The Kur Makri or Makri clan had captured the hill and named it ‘Pnah Kyndeng’ in the name of the deity. The Makri clan performed various kinds of rituals once a year in the area, which was gradually converted into a sacred forest.
It was also told that during ancient times, the Makri clan offered a white goat to the deity as a sacrifice in return for her blessings for the people of Raid Nonglyngdoh.
During those times, the Makri clan brought the seeds of a particular variety of rice known as ‘Khawpnah’, which the locals cook and eat as ‘Japnah’ or ‘Ja Shulia’, to the particular sacred forest as part of annual rituals reportedly to make it fruitful.
Besides the relevance and significance of ancient stories of the exotic place, its topography is one of its peculiar aspects.
Along the steep sides of the hill, there are famous bat caves locally known as ‘Krem Lymbit’, and beneath this cave flows the Umngei river. Interestingly, the Umngei which flows through this mountain hides itself by following a stream deep under the rocks for almost 2-3 kilometres before appearing again.
Meanwhile, on the day, the visitors to the spot were warned by the elders of Raid Nonglyngdoh against speaking any foul language or doing any untoward things inside the sacred forest as it would have severe repercussion to the extent that one may fall ill or die, if they do so.
One of the visitors, Sanbor Shullai was elated to become a part of the programme and in having the opportunity to witness firsthand the caves and forest, besides the traditional attires of the Raid Nonglyngdoh.
Shullai also promised the leaders of the Ri Bhoi Tourism and Environmental Developmental Forum and the traditional head of Raid Nonglyngdoh to extend all possible help from his end, while apprising them that he will soon hold a meeting involving the stakeholders at his office chamber.
He also informed them about meeting the Union Minister of Tourism to seek a special package for development of this historical place, especially construction of the road leading to the site.
The local legislator, Mayralborn Syiem, on the other hand, lauded the efforts and initiative of the Ri Bhoi Tourism and Environmental Developmental Forum and urged the leaders and general people to maintain cleanliness and preserve the sanctity of the spot. The MLA also expressed gratitude to Sanbor Shullai for his initiatives.
A cultural session followed the inaugural programme involving traditional dances and songs of the Raid Nonglyngdoh.