Ritika74 · Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Mawphlang Sacred Forest is a Khasi sacred grove at about 1,800 m in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, 25 km (about 1 hour) from Shillong. You enter only with a local guide on a walk of about an hour through old forest, monoliths and ritual sites. The rule is strict: take nothing out. Entry and guide fees are paid in cash.
Khasi villages have protected patches of forest for generations as law kyntang, sacred groves where cutting trees or removing anything is forbidden. Mawphlang's grove, called Law Lyngdoh, is the best known and the easiest to visit, just outside Mawphlang village on the high grassland west of Shillong.
From the outside it looks like a dark island of trees in open, rolling country. Inside, the canopy closes overhead, and the floor is thick with moss, ferns, fungi and roots. The guided walk passes clusters of monoliths and flat stones where the clan once held rituals, and your guide will explain the local belief that a guardian spirit protects the grove and the rule that nothing taken from it can leave.
We go on a dry morning between October and April and take the full guided walk, not a quick look at the edge. The village also has monoliths near the entrance and a heritage area. Mawphlang is the start of the David Scott Trail, a well-known day hike on an old colonial bridle path.
What makes it worth the trip
Old-growth grove
Dense forest with moss-covered trees, ferns, orchids and fungi, protected by village custom.
Monoliths and ritual stones
Standing stones and flat stones inside the grove mark places once used for clan ceremonies.
Guided walk
Local guides explain Khasi beliefs, plant uses and the grove's rules on a walk of about an hour.
The no-removal rule
Nothing may be taken out, not a leaf or a stone; guides take this seriously.
David Scott Trail
A day hike on an old bridle path that starts near Mawphlang and runs through Khasi villages and valleys.
Things to do
- Take the guided walk through the sacred grove
- Learn about Khasi clan traditions and the grove's guardian spirit from your guide
- See the monoliths near the village entrance
- Photograph moss, fungi and ferns inside the grove, without touching or taking anything
- Walk part or all of the David Scott Trail with a local guide
- Combine with the Shillong–Sohra road for a full day south of Shillong
Getting there
Mawphlang is about 25 km south-west of Shillong, roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour by car via Upper Shillong and Mawphlang Road. The entrance and guide counter are at the edge of the village, near the monoliths. Shared taxis run from Shillong to Mawphlang, but a private cab is easier for the return. The forest also combines well with the Sohra road, since the two routes meet near Upper Shillong. From Guwahati, stay a night in Shillong before visiting.
Where to stay
Most visitors stay in Shillong and make Mawphlang a half-day trip. Police Bazar and Laitumkhrah give the widest choice of hotels and food, while Upper Shillong homestays shorten the drive. A few homestays and small lodges operate around Mawphlang village for travellers who want a quiet night in the countryside or an early start on the David Scott Trail; standards are simple, so confirm hot water and meals in advance. There is no large hotel in the village itself.
Local tips
- Do not pick up or take anything from the grove, including leaves, stones or flowers
- Wear shoes with grip; roots and stones are slippery after rain
- Solo travellers can often join another group to share the guide fee
- Carry insect repellent and check for leeches in the monsoon
- Keep voices low inside the grove; it is a sacred site
- Carry cash for entry, guide and parking fees
Rain and weather
Source: IMD 1991–2020 normals
October to May for dry paths; the forest is green and moody in the monsoon but leeches are common.
