Mawphlang Sacred Grove, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

Mawphlang Sacred Grove / Law Lyngdoh

Mawphlang Sacred Grove, also known as Law Lyngdoh, is an ancient sacred forest in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, protected by the Khasi community through traditional religious and customary practices.

StateMeghalaya

DistrictEast Khasi Hills

LocationMawphlang Sacred Grove

Area78 ha

Latitude25.4424000

Longitude91.7447000

About this Sacred Grove

Mawphlang Sacred Grove is a well-preserved subtropical broad-leaved forest located near Mawphlang village in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. The grove supports diverse native vegetation, including trees, shrubs, herbs, orchids, ferns and other forest species. Species such as Khasi oak (Quercus griffithii), Rhododendron arboreum, Rhododendron formosum and Pyrus pashia have been recorded in the grove. Traditional restrictions on cutting trees and removing forest materials have helped maintain its ecological integrity and biodiversity.

The word maw means "stone", maw phlang means "grassy stone," and is one of many settlements in the Khasi hills named after monoliths. Mawphlang is the site of one of the Khasi Hills sacred groves. Khasi heritage village - located in the Mawphlang district - is considered to be the hub of Khasi culture. As per digital media NewsGram, the village project is in shambles. The heritage project was started with much fanfare, but has suffered losses due to governmental apathy and charges of corruption.