Mawphlang Sacred Forest, nestled in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, India, is a barely explored treasure near Shillong. This mystical forest is a true testament to nature’s wonders, showcasing an extraordinary variety of unique plants, ancient trees, and historical witnesses.
Why You Should Visit Mawphlang Sacred Forest?
If you’re planning a comprehensive Meghalaya itinerary or seeking to uncover the natural beauty of the Shillong-Cherrapunji region, Mawphlang Sacred Forest deserves a spot on your list. Despite its close proximity to Shillong, many tourists bypass this enchanting location, heading straight to Cherrapunji due to lack of information. Additionally, local tour operators often exclude it from itineraries since reaching the forest requires an off-road detour from the Shillong-Cherrapunji highway.
Let me share my personal experience exploring this incredible place, which I hope will help you plan your perfect trip.
Where is Mawphlang located?
A brief overview of Mawphlang’s demographics is quite crucial as it can assist you in determining the optimal time and method of visiting the area.
Mawphlang is a quaint village in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, approximately 27 km from Shillong and 47 km from Cherrapunji. The sacred forest lies 11 km off the main Shillong-Cherrapunji road, necessitating a short off-road journey to reach it.
Related Article: Top 9 Cherrapunji Tourist Places You Shouldn’t Skip
A Glimpse into the History of Mawphlang Sacred Forest
Mawphlang is regarded as the epicenter of the ancient Khasi culture. The name “Mawphlang” is a combination of two distinct words, “Maw” and “Phlang,” which collectively signify “grassy stone.”
According to local folklore, several centuries ago, Khasi tribes of the region used to offer prayers in front of a large rock located within the Mawphlang sacred forest, and sacrifice was a crucial aspect of their religious practices. This deep spiritual significance led to the forest being preserved as a sacred site.
Exploring Mawphlang Valley
I have visited many mountains and trails, but I reveal the verdant hilly terrain of Meghalaya is distinct in its own right. The lush greenery surrounding you is truly breathtaking; as you make your way towards Mawphlang village, the true beauty of the area unveils itself after leaving the main road.
Upon arrival to Mawphlang tourist point, a vast, open valley welcomes you with lush greenery stretching as far as the eye can see. You are lucky if it is not a rainy day.
The valley is a bit breezy and cool, even in peak summer. Sitting on the soft, carpet-like grass under the sun is a soothing experience. A clean pitch road passes through the valley. If you love to explore new plant species, this place is a paradise, home to a fascinating collection of rare and tiny yet beautiful plants.
On either side of the pitch road, you’ll find a small statue and an ancient stadium, modified by the government. This serene and often deserted spot is ideal for capturing beautiful photographs.
Getting into Mawphlang Sacred Forest
After spending some leisurely time in the valley, and enjoying the cool breeze and sunny weather, it’s time to step into the sacred forest. At the entrance, three decorated stones and a stone bench create an ideal setting for photo snaps.
You are suggested to hire a guide to enter the forest.
Why Hire a Guide?
Booking a guide for your visit is highly recommended for several reasons:
- Despite the clear mud road inside, there is still a risk of getting lost in the forest without proper guidance.
- The guides may restrict you from going inside without their assistance; after all, it’s their business.
- The guides tell you ancient stories about the forest, and help you to learn about the plants.
- They help capture memorable group photos.
The guides charge a reasonable fee for the jungle trip, with different rates for long and short hikes depending on your preference. The cost also varies based on the number of people in your group, with an average of INR 100 per person for a group of five.
Inside the Sacred Forest
As you step inside, the forest greets you with an almost magical ambiance. Initially, it may not seem dense, but as you venture deeper, towering ancient trees surround you. Many rare plant species thrive here, making it an exciting destination for botany enthusiasts.
Here are some snaps that I’d love to share with you.
Among the many intriguing discoveries, I was thrilled to find a Yew tree inside the forest! The bark of this tree is the source of Taxol, a powerful anti-cancer medicine used to treat ovarian, prostate, breast, lung, cervical, and pancreatic cancer. Finding a Yew tree in Meghalaya’s climate was quite unexpected, but it thrives remarkably well here.
Deeper in the forest, the ancient stone god and sacrifice sites still exist, adding a mystical touch to the experience. Hearing the local stories of rituals performed centuries ago is truly captivating.
After a 45-minute jungle trek, filled with photo opportunities and fascinating stories, we exited the forest, enriched with newfound knowledge. The guides were friendly and fluent in English, providing detailed explanations about the forest’s flora, history, and scientific significance. It’s incredible!
“Don’t Take Anything”
Local guides advise against taking or picking anything from the sacred forest, as it’s believed to bring misfortune. Whether or not you believe in these tales, there’s a scientific reason behind this rule—many unknown plant species reside in this rainforest, and you never know which one is toxic and which one is safe. It’s best to admire nature without disturbing it.
Related Article: Garden of Caves — Explore the Gem of Meghalaya
Food Options in Mawphlang
If you feel hungry, there are small food stalls located next to the road where you can get your tiffin or have lunch. The list of food option is limited:
- Rice with chicken or egg
- Noodles
- Dry snacks (Potato chips, nuts, etc)
However, it’s important to keep in mind that the food available there may not be of good taste. The local Khasi people who run the stalls may not cook food that matches your preferences. Therefore, it’s advisable to only have food at Mawphlang if you are traveling without any food or are feeling particularly hungry.
How to reach Mawphlang
A convenient way to reach Mawphlang is by hiring a car from Shillong; it’s a 27 km journey taking around an hour on well-maintained roads.
For a seamless itinerary, I suggest visiting Mawphlang on your way to Cherrapunji from Shillong, treating it as a sightseeing stop en route.
Nearest Airport:
- Umroi Airport (Shillong)
- Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (Guwahati)
Adequate time to relax and unwind at Mawphlang on a sunny day is around 2-3 hours. Hence, it is advisable to plan your itinerary accordingly.
Related Article: 19 Best Places to Visit in Shillong
The right time to visit Mawphlang
Meghalaya’s weather is unpredictable, with frequent rain throughout the year. While the monsoon season (June to early September) offers lush greenery, it may disrupt travel plans.
For pleasant weather, the ideal time to visit is late September to mid-May, with November to April being the best months.
Related: Dawki: Explore the River Paradise
Where to stay for a trip to Mawphlang Sacred Forest?
For easy access, I recommend staying overnight in Shillong, which offers various hotels, resorts, and homestays. The following link may help you to find the best hotels and resorts in Shillong.
Alternatively, if you prefer to stay elsewhere, Cherrapunji is another option, though it’s further away. In that case, plan your Mawphlang trip on your return journey from Cherrapunji to Shillong.
Final Thoughts
Mawphlang Sacred Forest is a mystical and enriching destination in Meghalaya, perfect for nature lovers, researchers, and cultural explorers. The dense forest, unique biodiversity, and spiritual history make it a must-visit location during the Shillong trip.
Got any questions? Drop them in the comments below, and I’ll be happy to help!
Have a fantastic trip!
Dr. Suvankar Das is a scientific advisor by profession, associated with a CRO organization. He pursued his doctoral degree in Chemistry in 2015. Later, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher & scientist in a couple of institutes/companies.
Besides his scientific journey, Dr. Das is also a passionate traveler and travel blogger. He loves to share all his travel experiences with other travelers so that everyone can enjoy hassle-free holidays with their own tour plans.
He believes, the most beautiful thing in this world is the WORLD itself. so there is no way to live like a clock; rather live it like a compass!
Oh, wow, this looks like just the place for me! I have never been to India, in fact, not even to Asia. And I am not quite sure what idea of India I had in my mind, but certainly never thought of such a beautiful forest.
I just take a look up Mawphlang on Google Maps and it seems quite close to high mountains? What is the altitude? I was born in the Netherlands and am a real lowlander, above 2,500 meters I get ill.
Thanks for your enthusiastic review of this place. Who knows, I might visit it one day. 🙂
Hi, thanks for sharing your beautiful insight!
Mawphlang is not situated near very high mountains; the heights of evergreen hills around Mawphlang don’t cross 3000 meters. Additionally, the presence of plenty of trees everywhere produced lots of oxygen in Mawphland as well as the whole of Meghalaya; till date there is no news of breathing problems at Meghalaya because of height.
So, you can fairly plan to visit Meghalaya to experience the unlimited natural beauty all around. However, on my last Meghalaya trip I personally met a friendly couple from the Netherlands, they were on an India trip for 3 months, and certainly were exploring the beauty of Cherrapunji (close to Mawphlang).
Hello there!
Your picture of the trail in Mawsphlang Sacred Forestis very soothing, calming and with such a rich heritage. Itbegs a visit. That area is so beautiful.
I really love your art of storytelling which makes the entire journey come alive for readers. I chuckled when you mentioned that the local Khasi people do not know how to cook tasty meals. Ha!Ha!
Thanks for this enlightenment which opens up several oportunities for travel that ne may not have thought about.
The Mawphlang Sacred Forest is beautiful and lush! I’m not one who traveled much out of the states, and I certainly haven’t traveled to India. However, Meghalaya is such an exciting place, recently grabbed my attention. Thanks for sharing this in-depth information.