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Meghalaya is a north eastern state of the India sharing its border with Bangladesh to the south and
Assam to the north. This small state is the cavers paradise as most of the deepest and longest of the
caves in South Asia are located here. Every year expert cavers from all around the world come to
explore the hills of Meghalaya.
The mountain ridge of Meghalaya is predominantly comprises of limestone. The caves have average
temperatures of between 10° - 15° C which is an ideal temperature for limestone solution. The
rich vegetation produces the necessary acids for solution and the amount of water results in high
level of erosion. The caves, with mainly stalactite and stalagmite formations, are truly nature's gift
and wonder.
Mawsmai Cave: This 250m long cave is the major attraction for the tourists in Cherrapunjee. This
cave is located 6 kms away from Cherrapunjee near to Mawsmai village. This natural limestone cave
is wide enough for a person to walk comfortably, and one can see the myriads of stalagmites and
stalactites all over the caves which are growing gradually. The caves are dark inside and electric
torches are installed for the convenient of the tourists.
Dobakhol - Siju(Bat Cave): The cave was first explored by the British geologic Survey in the 1920s.
Popularly known as Siju Cave, it has now been explored and surveyed to a length of almost five
kilometres. it is often termed as the third longest cave in the Indian sub-continent which has been
explored till now. The cave is located on the bank of the Simsang River, just below the village of Siju
and is the home of more than tens of thousands of bats. In 2007 a new kind of cave fish, Schistura
sijuensis (Menon), a new species of loach has been discovered in this cave.
Krem Mawmluh : Half a kilometre west of Cherrapunjee, Krem Mawmluh (4500m) is the seventh
longest cave in the Indian sub-continent which has been explored till now. Also known as Krem
Mawkhyrdop, this cave is located at the bottom of the western side of Lum Lawbah.
Krem Phyllut: The Krem Phyllut cave, in the East Khasi hills has not got the much attention from the
geomicrobiologists. This 1003 meters long cave is located in the Mawsmai village, south of
Cherrapunjee. The cave has a large section of fossil passage, two stream ways and
three entrances.
Krem Dam : Located in Mawsynram at a distance of 58 kms from Shillong, Krem Dam is a fascinating
cave to witness nature's splendour at its very best. It is the biggest cave in the Indian subcontinent
which is made of sandstone. The entrance attracts the instant attention of the cavers all over the
world and also the holidaymakers. This 1297 meter long cave is also blessed with the presence of a
lively stream that stretches across the primary entrance.
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