Shillong: A religious procession at Meghalaya’s Mawjymbuin Cave has ignited a fresh row, pitting a visiting Hindu yatra against local tribal groups and tourists over the imposition of religious protocols. The controversy unfolded on Sunday when pilgrims, numbering over 250, reportedly asked other visitors to remove their shoes and cease taking photographs inside the geologically significant cave, leading to strong objections and a formal complaint from a tourist.
The incident has reignited long-standing tensions surrounding the cave, a site revered by geologists as a marvel of natural heritage. While the yatra organisers see it as a sacred pilgrimage site, the local Dorbar Shnong (village council) and residents vehemently oppose this interpretation. They insist the formation is a natural wonder shaped over millennia, not a religious shrine. “We came as tourists, but were treated in a manner we found unacceptable,” said Debojit, a tourist from Kolkata, who has since lodged a complaint with village elders. “There should be some logic behind such rules.”
The annual yatra, a relatively recent phenomenon, has repeatedly met with resistance from the community, prompting the Dorbar Shnong to previously impose restrictions on religious activities and littering. While the Meghalaya High Court recently allowed the procession to proceed, it did so with a strict injunction to maintain public order. The ongoing dispute has also drawn the attention of the scientific community. Noted geologist Eladbor Laloo reiterated that the so-called ‘holy Shiva Lingam’ within the cave is, in fact, a naturally formed stalagmite. “Religious interpretations not grounded in fact risk misrepresenting such valuable natural heritage,” Laloo warned, advocating for the promotion of the site’s scientific importance.
Despite the renewed tensions, a silver lining emerged with yatra organisers earning praise for their diligent efforts in keeping the area clean, a significant improvement over the littering issues that plagued previous events. A large police contingent, alongside magistrates, was deployed to ensure the procession passed without incident. While the event concluded peacefully, the fundamental clash over the identity of the Mawjymbuin Cave—whether it is a geological treasure or a religious sanctum—continues to simmer, leaving the core dispute unresolved between locals and the visiting religious groups.
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