Krem Chympe: The river cave with natural dams and underground lakes

A crystal clear river flows quietly inside a cave in the forests near Khaddum town in Meghalaya’s Jaintia Hills district. This little-known river cave is Krem Chympe, which is now on the global tourist map for its natural beauty, diverse ecosystem, and geological wonders.

Tourists can explore the cave by swimming, canoeing, or using bamboo rafts and soaking in the natural ecosystem that has been in the making for millions of years. Krem means cave in the Khasi language. 

The 20.4 km-long Krem Chympe is the fifth-longest cave in India and is home to over 50 natural dams (called gours), underground lakes, and stalactite and stalagmite formations that make it appear surreal. 

The cave was formed by water flowing through limestone (a highly soluble rock) over thousands of years. The flowing water has carved out cave passages and natural dams along the river. The water flow has also created scallops in the cave walls, with larger scallops indicating slower water flow.

Also Read: Bhedaghat's Marble Rocks that turn magical under moonlight

The home of kind spirits

Krem Chympe is revered by the local Khasi community as the home of kind spirits. Being the cultural and spiritual centre for the community, it is the site of various traditional ceremonies. 

The cave has an upper entrance near the village of Sielkan. This entrance is framed by limestone cliffs and lush vegetation. On religious occasions, the area near the cave entrance buzzes with rituals, highlighting the connection between the cave and the region's ancestral heritage. 

Rituals for fertility and good health are performed at its entrance where offerings are made to honour the spirits dwelling in the cave.

These rituals, which involve respecting the cave’s natural ecosystem, ensure biodiversity conservation.

Flora and Fauna

Krem Chympe is also known as the "elephant cave" because of the many elephant bones found in the area, indicating that land animals once lived there. Currently, it is home to large colonies of bats, including leaf-nosed species, which roost in the cave's high reaches. 

The world's largest cavefish, which is blind and 40 cm long, lives in the cave apart from garra fish, glass shrimps, tadpoles, and crabs. It also has unique cave-adapted spiders. 

The cave has a fragile ecosystem that is easily disrupted by human activity. Locals encourage visitors to practice responsible tourism and respect the cave's natural environment and local customs. It is best to seek guidance from local experts, not litter and minimize the impact on the ecology by adhering to eco-friendly travel practices.

Also Read: Krem Puri: Meghalaya’s fairy cave where you can get lost

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