CHOMCHOM (Krem)
25.343100,92.482200
Description
At least three entrances, which function as seasonal sinks, drain a monsoonal flow of water via gaps between gravitationally dislocated rocks to some estimated 100 m of obviously accessible horizontal cave passage in solid limestone rock. The presence of a strong air current (air flow, draught) on 26th February 1998 is interpreted to indicate communicating cave entrances. ETYMOLOGY: The first cave name identified had been »Krem Chomchom.« (note 1).SITUATION: The insurgence cave (sink) lies some five walking minutes north-east from the crossroad settlement Ladmyrsiang (25°20'39”N: 92°28'53”E: 997 m asl) near the Jaintia Cement Factory and lies in a small peninsular outlier (perhaps 100 m wide) at the eastern foot of the Shnongrim Ridge and east of that part of the road to Tangnub which runs across the plain. The little hillock rises by about 15 or 20 m from the surrounding grassland, is covered with jungle and fringed by pinnacles and fallen boulders. Several shallow stream beds enter and leave this hillock at various points. PROSPECTS: Not bad. All one needs are inquisitive explorers, which are prepared for observing peculiar features. CULTURAL HISTORY: Since the Khasi name "Krem Jomjom" can be interpreted as »Cave [of the] Steaming King of the Underworld / Lord of Hades« (SINGH, N 1906: 104), the site may have a pagan religious connotation.
NOTE 1: U Jom (Khasi, a kind of deity) the king of Hades (SINGH, N 1906: 104), the Lord of the underworld. jum-jum (Khasi, adjective) full of juice (SINGH, N 1906: 105) sham-sham (Khasi, adjective) very precipituous (SINGH, N 1906: 190).
History
EXPLORATION HISTORY: 1998.02.26: B. D. Kharpran Daly, Donbokwell Syiemlieh, Anthony 'Tony' R Jarratt and Brian Johnson reconnoitered. 1999.03.31: Paul Edmunds, Herbert "Daniel" Gebauer, Katharina "Kate" Janossy, Gregory D. Diengdoh, Earl Francis Lyngdoh and nine senior students of the Wells Cathedral School visited.
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | PYRDA, Ladmyrsiang, 3rd (Krem) | ||
| 0.6 | SYNRIAW (Krem) | ||
| 0.6 | UMPLIANG (Krem) | ||
| 0.8 | PYRDA, Ladmyrsiang, 1st (Krem) | ||
| 0.8 | PYRDA, Ladmyrsiang, 2nd (Krem) | ||
| 1.0 | UMTHLU, Rasah 1 (Krem) | ||
| 1.0 | PASWAR (Krem) | ||
| 1.0 | THLU, Rasah, 2nd (Krem) | ||
| 1.0 | THLU, Rasah, 1st (Krem) |