MENGGO KOL

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A spring (exsurgence or resurgence?) rising from a cave, which is not only spectacular but also characterised by magnificent rock formations around it (GUPTA & SHARMA (s.a. circa 2004 ±2) and according to MARAK (2000: 61) the resurgence of the –>Maheshkhola (Mahesh Khali, Maheshkali, Maheshkhali, Maheshkola nala or Rongsiang, Rungsiang River) sinking at a place called Walso Chiring (Walso sink), about 2 or 3 km further upstream (compare –>Maheshkhola sink & resurgence). ETYMOLOGY: The Garo -menggo“ (note 1) is a cat (note 2) and the name of the -kol- (cave) is ascribed to certain fossilite stones (MARAK 2000: 61, photograph 29) or rock fossils (GUPTA & SHARMA s.a. circa 2004 ±2) resembling hairs of a cat (MARAK 2000 photograph 29). According to GUPTA & SHARMA (s.a. circa 2004 ±2), Menggo Kol (Cave of cat): It is a spectacular cave with magnificent rock formations around it. Even now some rock fossils that resemble hairs of the cat can be seen. This cave is believed to be inhabited by white cat, hence the name cave of the cat. SITUATION: At a travelling distance of 8 or 9 km from Maheshkhola Bazar (N25°11': E090°58'30”). There are two or three ways to reach the cave known as Mongo Kol (Menggo Kol, Mongokol) or the -cave- (site?) near the village of Mangokhor (note 3):APPROACH 1a: Take the road from the West Khasi Hill side of Maheshkhola Bazar (note 4) towards Khanjoy but take the fork to the left-hand side and across the weak bamboo bridge (Neil Sootinck 2002.02.19 after Rabina A. Marak, daughter of Rongdanggai (Rongdangkai) Village Headman, and Priya Belina Marak). APPROACH 1b: At a travelling distance of 5 km from Maheshkhola Bazar, an unreliable bamboo bridge (in 2003) must be crossed. From this bridge, it is 3 km to the cave (Neil Sootinck 2003.02.21 after Ratan Ch. Marak, I.B. Chowkidar, Maheshkhola Bazar). APPROACH 2: From Rongdanggai two walking hours (circa 8 km) towards Solong (note 5) village (Neil Sootinck 2002.02.19 after Rabina A. Marak, daughterof Rongdanggai (Rongdangkai) Village Headman, and Priya Belina Marak). CAVE DESCRIPTION GUPTA & SHARMA (s.a. circa 2004 ±2): Menggo Kol (Cave of cat) is a spectacular cave with magnificent rock formations around it. Even now some rock fossils that resemble hairs of the cat can be seen. white cat, hence the name cave of the cat. SITUATION: At a travelling distance of 8 or 9 km from Maheshkhola Bazar (N25°11': E090°58'30”). There are two or three ways to reach the cave known as Mongo Kol (Menggo Kol, Mongokol) or the -cave- (site?) near the village of Mangokhor (note 3):APPROACH 1a: Take the road from the West Khasi Hill side of Maheshkhola Bazar (note 4) towards Khanjoy but take the fork to the left-hand side and across the weak bamboo bridge (Neil Sootinck 2002.02.19 after Rabina A. Marak, daughter of Rongdanggai (Rongdangkai) Village Headman, and Priya Belina Marak). APPROACH 1b: At a travelling distance of 5 km from Maheshkhola Bazar, an unreliable bamboo bridge (in 2003) must be crossed. From this bridge, it is 3 km to the cave (Neil Sootinck 2003.02.21 after Ratan Ch. Marak, I.B. Chowkidar, Maheshkhola Bazar). APPROACH 2: From Rongdanggai two walking hours (circa 8 km) towards Solong (note 5) village (Neil Sootinck 2002.02.19 after Rabina A. Marak, daughterof Rongdanggai (Rongdangkai) Village Headman, and Priya Belina Marak). CAVE DESCRIPTION GUPTA & SHARMA (s.a. circa 2004 ±2): Menggo Kol (Cave of cat) is a spectacular cave with magnificent rock formations around it. Even now some rock fossils that resemble hairs of the cat can be seen.