Shillong, January 3 : The Central Puja Committee (CPC), Meghalaya, has formally appealed to the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills District (EKHD) and the Chairperson of 10-member Committee to open the renowned Krem Mawjymbuin Cave in Mawsynram for devotees starting from the next holy month of Shravan (June-July 2025). The appeal calls for declaring the cave as a Religious Tourist Spot to attract international visitors, particularly religious tourists.
In a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, CPC expressed gratitude for being included as a member of the 10-member committee tasked with addressing the ongoing issue surrounding the cave’s accessibility.
The virtual meeting, held on December 29, 2024, was presided over by Naba Bhattacharjee, President of CPC, and attended by the core group members, including General Secretary J.L. Das, who joined from Bengaluru. After thorough deliberations, the Central Puja Committee unanimously decided to formally appeal for the opening of the cave for religious activities.
The cave has long been recognized as a significant religious site. In 2002, over 200 ISKCON devotees from across the globe visited the cave to perform Puja, with the CPC overseeing its cleanliness and maintenance. The CPC emphasized the need to preserve the sanctity of the site while accommodating devotees and tourists.
CPC’s Suggestions for Better Management
During the virtual meeting, CPC put forth several suggestions to regulate and manage the religious activities at the cave. These include:
- Forming Strict Rules and Regulations: The committee recommended establishing clear rules to manage the religious activities at the cave, especially on the four Sundays of Shravan (June-July), when a significant influx of devotees is expected.
- Deployment of Volunteers: CPC proposed deploying 30-40 volunteers to assist local authorities, including the Rangbah Shnong (headman) and the Local Dorbar (village council), in managing the visitors and maintaining order.
- Financial Support: The CPC suggested that the Tourism Department of the Meghalaya Government provide salaries for four key personnel involved in managing the cave. They also requested a government grant of Rs. 5 lakh for infrastructure development, with the remaining funds to be sourced from stakeholders.
- Regulating Devotee Visits During Peak Times: During peak visitation days, particularly the four Sundays of Shravan, only 500 devotees would be allowed to visit at a time. The CPC would be responsible for regulating and supervising these visits to ensure smooth operations.
The CPC has urged the authorities to consider their suggestions, and if accepted, a drafting committee should be constituted to formalize the regulations and guidelines for the management of the site.
