One of the noted divine forests in Meghalaya is Mawphlang, about 25 km from Shillong. The holy grove has an amazing life form of plants, flowering trees, orchids, and butterflies. An ideal site for nature lovers, the forest has been shielded by traditional religious sanctions since time ancient.
Legend has it that the forest is protected by the Lyngdoh clan. Though it was earlier ruled by the Blah clan, they struggled to control the massive forest and decided to choose another protector. The clan found a woman going to the Lyngdoh clan, who had a son. She acceded to their demands on the condition that if the five saplings she had planted grew into trees, she would let her son take over the forest. As it turned out, the saplings grew beautifully. It is 25 km off the charming little town of Shillong. Underneath the lush mattings of mosses, molds and algae lay buried ancient secrets, stories, and legends of The Khasi Folks.
According to the legend, the sacred groves of Mawphlang are protected by the local deity-Labasa.
But, you need to know only one thing here, You Cannot Take Anything Out Of This Sacred Forest. Yes, Nothing. Not even a leaf! If anyone enters with bad intentions, they face dire consequences!! Yes, that was what we were warned by our guide!