World’s longest sandstone cave 'Krem Puri' discovered in Meghalaya

The world’s longest sandstone cave named Krem Puri was discovered near Laitsohum village in Mawsynram area in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.

Krem Puri Underground Cavern

• Krem Puri is more than 6,000 metres longer than the world record-holder cave 'Cueva Del Saman' in Edo Zulia, Venezuela, a sandstone cave measuring 18,200 metres.

• It is known for its complex cave systems hidden under its surging hills.

• This sandstone cave is also India’s second longest cave in general category after limestone Krem Liat Prah-Umim-Labit system measuring little over 31 km in Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya.

• Krem Puri cave system also has fossils of dinosaurs, especially Mosasaurus, a giant reptile that lived 66-76 million years ago.

Expedition

With a length of 24,583 metres, Krem Puri cave was discovered back in the year 2016 but its actual length was obtained during the expedition by the Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association (MAA) to measure and map the cave between February 5 and March 1, 2018.

The Meghalaya Adventurers` Association (MAA) led 27 international cavers on a 26 day exploration of Krem Chympe in the village of Sielkan in East Jaintia Hills and new exploration in the Mawsynram and Mawlongbna area as part of the Caving in the Abode of the Clouds Expedition 2016.

The expedition team was accompanied by two associated scientists from India who conducted ongoing bio-speleological studies of the areas.

Krem Lumshken, located close to the Mawlongbna Tourism Guest House, proved to be the second longest cave to be explored  in 2018, yielding 3,424 m of cave passage.