Shillong – The serene hills of Meghalaya are set to welcome pilgrims to the revered Mawjymbuin Cave in Mawsynram, East Khasi Hills district, following a conditional green light from the High Court of Meghalaya. In a significant ruling passed on Friday, a single bench of Justice H S Thangkhiew granted permission for the pilgrimage, ensuring that it proceeds with utmost respect for local customs and the pristine environment.
The decision came after a petition was filed seeking facilitation of the pilgrimage to the cave, which holds deep spiritual significance for the petitioners. Crucially, all parties involved, including the village authorities, arrived at a consensus on a set of safeguards designed to ensure a harmonious and respectful yatra.
As per the court’s explicit directive, pilgrims will be strictly prohibited from performing any puja or elaborate religious rituals inside the cave. The bringing of any items intended for such practices is also barred. Instead, the court has permitted only a symbolic sprinkling of water on the sacred stone within the cave, with any excessive pouring of water explicitly forbidden to maintain the sanctity and integrity of the site.
District authorities have been tasked with the crucial responsibility of supervising the yatra to ensure it unfolds peacefully and in an orderly fashion. Furthermore, the organisers of the pilgrimage have been instructed to deploy private security personnel or volunteers. These individuals will play a vital role as traffic wardens and assist in managing the flow of pilgrims, preventing any disruption to local life.
The court underscored that the pilgrimage must be conducted with solemnity and a deep respect for local norms. It emphatically stated that there should be no disruption to traffic or any littering of the premises, upholding the community’s right to peace and cleanliness. Justice Thangkhiew’s order meticulously balanced the petitioners’ spiritual aspirations with the concerns raised by the village authorities, particularly regarding the pouring of water on the sacred stone. “Though objections have been raised by the village authorities regarding the pouring of water on the stone, to balance equities and in the interest of justice, only symbolic sprinkling will be allowed,” the order clarified.
In a show of community support and cooperation, the Dorbar Shnong of Mawsynram Village has submitted an undertaking, formally backing the conduct of the yatra under the stipulated conditions. The matter is slated for a further hearing on July 31, by which time the parties are expected to finalise and communicate the exact date of the yatra to the district authorities, paving the way for a pilgrimage rooted in faith and mutual respect.
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