Krem Puri is the world’s longest sandstone cave at 24.5km, almost three times the height of Mount Everest. (Representational Image/Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Do the vaults in the magical world of Harry Potter books or the enchanted cave from the story of Ali Baba and 40 Thieves enrapture you? Have you ever wondered if such mysterious caves actually exist on our planet? Well, not just on the planet, they are right here under your nose in India. Buried among the hidden hot spots of Northeast India, the world’s longest sandstone cave has been discovered in Meghalaya. Situated near the village of Laitsohum in the Mawsynram of East Khasi Hills district, it has been named Krem Puri, which means “fairy cave” in the local Khasi language.
Setting a world record at 24,583-metre (24.5km) — which is almost three times the height of Mount Everest, Krem Puri is 6,000-metre longer than previous record holder Venezuela’s Cueva Del Saman 18,200-metre (18.2km) long quartzite sandstone cave in Edo Zulia.
Not only is the cave rich in flora and fauna such as frogs, fish, spiders and bats, but dinosaur fossils — especially of a giant aquatic carnivorous reptile Mosasaurus that lived 66-76 million years ago — have been found. While the cave had been discovered two years back in 2016, it is only recently that a team from the Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association (MAA) led by Brian Daly Kharpran – who is a recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in 2002 – explored the complex maze of passages and corridors inside.
What’s more, the sandstone cave has reportedly also been named India’s second longest cave in the general category after the limestone Krem Liat Prah-Umim-Labit system, which measures a little over 31km in Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya.
Catch a glimpse of some pictures floating around on the Internet here.
The world’s longest cave in sandstone was recently discovered in north-eastern India. Get a glimpse of this unique ‘fairy cave’. http://t.co/e5irFmLjwH
— BBC Asia (@BBCNewsAsia) April 16, 2018
Secrets of a world record-breaking ‘fairy cave’
The world’s longest cave in sandstone was recently discovered in India’s north-eastern state of Meghalaya. Soutik Biswas joined a group of speleologists for a glimpse of this unique cave.http://t.co/NS3KBjbr2c
— Shivam Vij (@DilliDurAst) April 16, 2018
Krem Puri: World’s longest sandstone cave discovered in Meghalaya. near Laitsohum village in Mawsynram area in East Khasi Hills. The cave is 24,583 metres (24.5 km) in length and 6,000 metres longer than previous world record-holder Cueva Del Saman in Edo Zulia, Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/Z4HV4zgf7Z
— Nandan Pratim Sharma Bordoloi 🇮🇳 (@NANDANPRATIM) April 3, 2018
The world’s longest sandstone cave named #KremPuri was discovered near Laitsohum village in Mawsynram area in East Khasi Hills district of #Meghalaya; The cave is 24,583 metres (24.5 km) in length and is known for its complex cave systems hidden under its undulating #hills pic.twitter.com/IhPGOwcWff
— Parimal Nathwani (@mpparimal) March 26, 2018
“RICH FAUNA”?!!! 😱 Jeepers, I’d rather ants in my pants, thanks.
— Kevin P Willi😂ms (@Kevintangible) April 16, 2018
The hidden secrets of India’s world record-breaking ‘fairy cave’
I told you #VisitGibraltar is small, so small that a cave complex is twice as large as the whole of Gibraltar.
“13 sq km – twice the size of Gibraltar” http://t.co/YQ3cDQLtZY
— Derek Carrillo (@Iskeptic_ru) April 15, 2018
“If you get lost inside, you may never be able to find your way out.”http://t.co/YWkeDzerOj
— BBC India (@BBCIndia) April 16, 2018
Wouldn’t you want to witness the complex passages of the fairy cave in Meghalaya? Share your thoughts in the comments below.