Mawsmai cave and the Meghalayan Age
The southern edge of the Khasi Hills is limestone, and rainwater has carved hundreds of caves into it. Meghalaya has some of the longest cave systems in South Asia. Mawsmai is the one most visitors see: a short through-cave with electric lighting, narrow squeezes, low ceilings and formations of flowstone and stalactites. It takes 20 to 30 minutes and is manageable for most people who are not uncomfortable in tight spaces.
Mawmluh, a few kilometres away near the old cement works, is a different matter: a long, wet wild cave with a river inside. In 2018 the International Commission on Stratigraphy named the most recent stage of the Holocene the Meghalayan Age, starting about 4,200 years ago, using a stalagmite from Mawmluh as its reference. We visit the entrance and explain the story; going deeper needs a specialist caving guide and gear.
For guests interested in caving, we can arrange a half-day with experienced local cavers into Arwah cave, which contains fossils in its walls. Wear clothes you do not mind getting muddy and shoes with good grip. Children enjoy Mawsmai, though the tighter sections can feel close for some adults.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Is Mawsmai cave difficult?
No, but it has narrow squeezes and low sections where you bend or turn sideways. It is lit throughout, and the visit takes 20 to 30 minutes. People with claustrophobia or limited mobility may find parts uncomfortable. Wear shoes with grip, as the floor is often wet.
What is the Meghalayan Age?
It is the latest stage of the Holocene epoch in the geological timescale, beginning about 4,200 years ago with a global drought. In 2018 it was formally named after Meghalaya because a stalagmite from Mawmluh cave, near Sohra, records the change and serves as the reference point.
Can I go caving in Meghalaya?
Yes. Beyond the lit show cave at Mawsmai, experienced local cavers can guide you into longer caves such as Arwah or parts of Mawmluh with helmets and lights. These trips are muddy, wet and physical. Registered guides are now required for many outdoor activities in East Khasi Hills, so we book accordingly.
Also in Sohra (Cherrapunji)
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