Culture

The Khangkhui Mangsor cave of Ukhrul

Current Updates | Culture | TS Shimreingam Angelus | 13-Aug-2021

Khangkhui Mangsor Cave is one of the first known caves in Tangkhul area, located between Khangkhui and Nungshong villages. During the World War II, it served as a refugee camp, as it was in the midst of a thick jungle (in those days), with hardly any access, not even a footpath.  Above the cave stands the Khangkhui Masorim Peak, located about 15 km, on the eastern flank of the Ukhrul District HQ. The Cave now is accessible by road from both these villages. From the state capital Imphal, this Cave is better accessed via the Kamjong road, and then through Nungshong village, which is approximately 86 km. The ideal period to visit the Cave would be between the months of December and May.

Khangkhui Mangsor Cave, when viewed afar from the western aspect, gives an impression of a man’s face, more like that of a sage. Legends/ folklores and songs associated with it, tell that Mangsorwo, the deity of this lime rock cave, is a powerful spirit, at times seen as masculine adult royal being and at other times as a big snake, but benevolent and romantic. Romantic though it is, it does not tolerate libidinous acts of frivolity and vulgarity within its domain. The presence of stalactites and stalagmites in the caves testify the nature of the lime rock. Though many amazing and wonderful artifacts and handicrafts of nature had been destroyed, these caves are still in a continuous state of formation as we can see signs of incessant flow of soluble lime water trickling through the walls and ceilings. Proper protection and efficient preservation efforts can effect wonderful results which can hold the future spelunkers spellbound.

The deity is believed to have two wives; the first wife hailed from Shirui Kashung  (hill) and the second wife from Kuoprou hill. The first wife unfortunately had no issue, hence the need for marrying the second wife. One chamber each was allotted to each wife, but of course, allotting the better, more spacious one to the first wife, and the lesser one to the second wife, but having more rooms to accommodate her children.

This Mangsor cave, as it is known normally, in fact consists of 7 caves, though not very wide and big. They are; Khuitowa (first wife’s chamber), Amphowa (second wife’s chamber) Sirata, Ngakhumva,  Ngashankhur,  Rawonkhur and  Ngathumvai. On the whole, the Mangsor cave is a three storey structure with a sub-floor. Kuitowa, Sirata and Ngakhumva form the first floor, Amphowa forms the second floor, Ngashankhur and Rawonkhur form the second floor and the Ngathumvai forms the sub-floor.

KHUITOWA

This is the chamber of the first wife with a wide enough opening, facing west of the rock facade. It is spacious, measuring about 52x33x20 ft. with no side tunnel. During the pre-war period, it had all the requisites of a household - furniture and structures. During the War, people took shelter there and some precious structures were destroyed, and later people used it as buffalo-shed, and that completed the job of destruction within.

 AMPHOWA

This is the second wife’s chamber and it is on the North-Eastern aspect of the Mangsor rock with two entrances. This chamber consists of three rooms; the first room serves as the corridor, the middle as the kitchen and the third innermost room as the bedroom or dormitory. The two fore rooms are lighted from the entrances but the bedroom is lighted overhead through an opening on the ceiling. Legend has it that, being the second wife’s chamber proper roofing was neglected.

 SIRATA (Star descend orifice)

Sirata is in the Northern side, middle of  Khuitowa and Amphowa. It is a big pit, a deep drop of about 36 ft. The only means of descending into it is, by use of the sturdy creeper rope. Legend has it that stars used to descend from the firmament and disappear into this cavity. At the nadir, two tunnels part, one tunneled to the East and the other tunneled to the West, linking it with the Kongrei Luirung River far below. Folklore has it that, once a hunter was in hard pursue of his game, his hunting dog chased the deer into this Sirata pit. The hunting dog did not give up and the hunter could hear the barking of his dog, though thinner and thinner, but finally the deer and the dog came out of an opening at the river bank. This small tunnel is also known as Luirungkhur.

 NGAKHUMVA (GO CRAWLING)

Ngakhumva has its opening south of Khuitowa some 25 ft. It is the longest tunnel one can go into. But at one point, the cave narrows so much that one has to crawl in prone position, hence the name Ngakhumva.The limit of the tunnel to the extent one can go is about 424 ft. (as per physical survey). As one progresses into it, it is interesting to see the existence of the continuous formation of the stalactites and stalagmites, shining bright against the candle and the torch light. The numerous small side  tunnels give an impression that there may be many more tunnels if we can cut open bigger entrances to them.

 NGASHANKHUR (VIEWPOINT CAVE)

Ngashankhur is located on the top of the rock and it has entrance from the top. It is about 30 ft. slanding deep with no thoroughfare but lighted with a wide mouth in the ceiling. Being at the top of the rock, it provides ideal point to view the landscape all around, hence the name Ngashankhur, meaning view point cave.

 RAWONKHUR (SPRING CAVE)

Rawonkhur is  a liitle up, away from the rock, some 200 ft. It tunnels down and links with Ngakhumva at themouth/entrance, bringing the flowing  spring water.There is a story which tells that , once a hunter sent his dog in pursue after a doe, but they never exited any more. Recent happenings evidenced this mystery, in that, from this upper opening, time to time many bats used to come out, but no sooner than they are out they all faint and die. Perhaps some precious material with toxic emission may be there. Perhaps also, there must another big tunnel where the bats thrive, but strayed occasionally into this spring cave tunnel.

 NGATHUMVAI (STORAGE)

Ngathumvai cave is just below the link road, some 30 ft. below Khuitowa and Ngakhumva. Legend has it that, the deity, Mangsorwo uses this cave to hide and store its valued treasures. That is why the opening of this cave is small, but inside, there are few small chambers with beautiful hangings. If one is lucky he may sight a very big pink extra-ordinary rat.

 This Mangsor Cave can be of great interest to any speleologist. The multi-openings and wild profligate displays of nature’s art on the side walls and the ceilings for sure make any spectator jaw-drop in amazement. The landscape is beautiful and fresh. A patch of dense forest around provides one a touch of freshness and a captivating sight of a country setting.

(The Author is a retired MCS officer, and a prominent Catholic leader amongst the Tangkhul tribe. The piece written is from own knowledge, therefore personal)

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