Khuaikhampui / Khuaikham: A famous cliff in Sialsuk Village

Khuaikhampui/Khuaikham Cliff, Sialsuk, Mizoram

A precipice known as Khuaikham or  Khuamkhampui is located in the western end of Sialsuk village, Mizoram. It can be reach within 40 minutes walks either by following Sialsuk Primary Health Centre road or Thlanmual thar (New Graveyard) road. Sialsuk lui (river) is passing through this cliff  and for a visitor, following the river stream is easiest way to reach in this famous cliff. Before reaching this high cliff there is also a small cliff (local people called it as Khuaikhamte), to pass through this small cliff  there is a short cut route on the left side of the river. The river that pass through this main cliff forms a  beautiful waterfalls during rainy season. Beneath the cliff  (Khuaikham/Khuaikhampui) the river is flowing into Khuaikham lui (river). A small ledge on the top of this cliff can accommodate 10-20 persons at one time, from this ledge visitors can have breathtaking views of waterfalls and the depth of the Khuaikhampui/Khuaikham cliff. 

Being grown up in this village I often visited this cliff but I dare not to reach till the open cave which is existed down below the main ledge. I was told that during MNF insurgency this cave was used as hiding place by Mizo National Armies. During the time of  village Chieftaincy in Mizoram the Chief (s)  had a share of honey from the beehives found in the cliff of their jurisdiction which was known as Khuai chhiah (honey tax). In our village this tradition was followed too, anyone found and took honey from the beehives of this cliff must gave the Chief's share. Even when no one found the beehives the Chief (s) himself often organized  public search operation of beehives to this cliff. 

Khuaikhampui/Khuaikham Cliff, Sialsuk, Mizoram. Can you see a man standing over there?

Like I have said before, Khuaikhampui/Khuaikham is a well known high cliff in our village and no one dare to fall/climb down from the top. In our childhood days we often called out the name of this cliff for a promise keeper. Whenever we had arguments and debates with our friends our final decisions were drawn according to our willingness to fall or thrown down in this cliff if we were wrong on our stands or opinion. "Are you dare to jump down to Khuaikhampui if your opinion is incorrect?"  "If I am correct, will you  allow your toys be thrown away in Khuaikhampui in case you?" etc. were the popular questions we had often asked among ourselves in childhood days.  

Khuaikhampui/Khuaikham Cliff, Sialsuk, Mizoram

I had a chance to visit this cliff in last December along with friend Mr. Ramhminga. Unlike we did in childhood days we went down to edge of the cliff from another route. As it was in winter season waterfall could not be seen and it almost dried up. But the advantage of visiting in winter was we can captured the real geological features of the cliff without having hinder from waterfalls. I was told that Republic Veng Adventure club members came to this cliff and measured the height of Khuaikhampui in few years back. I tried to get the exact figure of its height from them, but nobody from my village knew their contact numbers but at last i could manage to contact one member from Kulikawn Adventure Club who was participated along with Republic veng club. He himself does not know the exact figure but he gave me round figure. I had tried to get from another source through Sialsuk group in facebook, finally one member from our group left a comment with exact figure i.e. 220 ft. (67.056 mt.). But, this figure is not accepted by another person in my village,  he told me that he was with the Republic Adventure Club and the height of the cliff is around 120 ft. Anyway, the exact figure of the height of Khuaikhampui/Khuakham is not really known or properly measured, but I can assured that this cliff is a famous one in our village. Just like any other famous places in our village this cliff is also deeply linked with our childhood memories. Best season to visit is September-November.

Khuaikhampui/Khuaikham Cliff, Sialsuk, Mizoram

Khuaikhampui/Khuaikham Cliff, Sialsuk, Mizoram

Khuaikhampui/Khuaikham Cliff, Sialsuk, Mizoram

Khuaikhampui/Khuaikham Cliff, Sialsuk, Mizoram

Khuaikhampui/Khuaikham Cliff, Sialsuk, Mizoram

Khuaikhampui/Khuaikham Cliff, Sialsuk, Mizoram

Yellow spotted circle showing location of Khuaikhampui/Khuaikham Cliff Sialsuk (modified from google maps)

Three large natural rocks in Sialsuk village

Sialsuk village (Aizawl District, Mizoram, India) has different natural rock structures and formations. I am not geologist nor expert so that i cannot explain in its technical terms and specific categories like metamorphic, sedimentary or igneous rocks etc. Many large and long rocks formation are there within the village and its nearby streams, some are flats and some are having smooth structures. Out of many rock structures available in our Sialsuk village the below mentioned rocks are well known for their largeness amongst the denizens. 

1. Lungding: It is located at Daithlang forest area which can be reached within 40 minutes by walk from Sialsuk. Its location is not very far from Aizawl-Lunglei World Bank road but needed to walk down below from the main road. When we visited along with four friends in last January this rock was hugely covered up by wild vegetation and nearby tree branches, it's uppermost structure is also seen in broken apart that might be happened in few years back. It's size can be surmise by seeing the below image where a friend of mine standing close on base of the rock. 

Lungding - a large natural rock structure at Sialsuk village, Mizoram

2. Chana lungpui: This natural rock is located before reaching Lungding, both Lungding and Chana lungpui can be reach by following same forest path and the distance between them are not so far away. Unlike Lungding this rock is in rounded and smooth shape. It is named after Mr.Chana who was known as skilled hunter. His story was often told in our village by older generations whom they believe him as having affairs or connection with Lasi (the spirit which presides over hunting) and was branded him as Lasi zawl ("A man who has received a sign in a dream from Lasi, the spirit of hunding, and has thenceforth become such a skilled hunter that he is looked upon as being possession of the spirit" Def. Pu Buanga Dictionary). We did not measured the size of the rock with scale but one friend surmised it as around 24 sq.ft  (this needed proper proof). Before we set out to this place my parents told me about the existence of stone inscription on this rock i.e. "Thingtam kumim zo neih a tha" (When there is Bamboo flowering it is better to have cultivation in highland). It was one of the popular Mizo sayings in olden days. As the rock was having wild vegetation coverage for many years we could not found out such inscription on the rock. Due to this insanitary of its features we barely identify few names and dates carved by some of our older village folks. Before we left we removed the vegetation coverage from the rock structure, you may recognize before and after of it from the below images.

Chana lungpui - Natural rock structure at Sialsuk village (Before clean)

Chana lungpui - Natural rock structure at Sialsuk village (After clean)

3. Thlangkhamphei lunglian: This huge natural rock  is located inside Zongaw Reserved Forest at Sialsuk. It's basement has juxtapose rock structures which formed a short cave with high ceiling, because of this short cave the local people also called it as Tlangkhamphei Lunglian puk (Puk means cave in Mizo tawng). If this rock is properly measure it may be listed in one of the largest semi-solid rock structures in Mizoram. It can be reach with light vehicles or two wheelers, even by walk also it will take only 20 minutes from the Village. This huge rock provides nice nature view as it is located inside village reserved forest area. From the top of this rock you can view many distant villages and forest coverage areas till the western end of Mizoram. The large trees on the top of this rock provides good shade for visitors, while sitting under these trees beautiful birds songs and sounds can be heard. The structure of this rock is slant to lower sides, visitors can be walk down till the last  perch. When you visit to our village please don't exclude this rock in your list of must seeing places.

In our school days this rock is well preserved and maintained by Young Mizo Association (YMA), Sialsuk Branch but in my last visit there was no such kind of proper maintenance and care. Even the waiting/viewing shed also no longer existed. There are stone quarry near to this rock, if our Village council authorities does not stop stone extractions from these sites it can damage the foundation of this rock. If the stone workers do blasting regularly we cannot say that it will not worsen the structure of Tlangkhamphei lunglian, so preventive measure is needed in order to keep it safe. It is not easy to get such huge rock image in single frame, please check out the below pictures to have a clear imagination of this gigantic rock.

Tlangkhamphei lunglian - huge natural rock structure in Sialsuk Village, Mizoram

Cave entrance at the base of the rock (Tlangkhamphei lunglian puk, Sialsuk)

Tlangkhamphei lunglian puk(cave) entrance, Sialsuk

Tlangkhamphei lunglian puk - rock cave view from another end, Sialsuk

Tlangkhamphei lunglian rock structure view from top

Tlangkhamphei lunglian upper rock formation, Sialsuk

Trees on the top of Tlangkhamphei lunglian, Sialsuk

 Yellow spotted circles shows the location of the three rocks (modified from google maps)

Where no one stands alone (lyrics)

In yesterday one Gospel song came to my mind and i wanted to listen either in Mizo or English. When i searched through youtube i was clueless, i knew the song lyrics only in Mizo tawng that was translated version from  English. When i searched with Mizo title 'Nitinin ka ngai che, thlahlo in min chelh la...' but the result showed no videos. Then i tried random search in English title (with my own translation) but still not found the correct ones. I asked some friends through facebook and sms they might knew the correct title in English. After sometimes one friend replied with the correct title i.e. 'Where no one stands alone' and also provided me the links in youtube site. I owe her a big thanks. This song gave me strength to face the circumstance that i actually didn't want to get involved in. It is nice to listen and i can have a comforting mind, i hope God will hold my hands even when i stand alone. Many music videos of this song are uploaded in youtube, my favourite one is a live performance by Gaither Vocal Band.

The lyrics in English:

Once I stood in the night with my head bowed low
In the darkness, as black as could be
And my heart felt alone
And I cried oh Lord
Don't hide your face from me.

Hold my hand all the way
Every hour every day
From here to the grave
I know
Take my hand
Let me stand
Where no one stands alone.

Like a king I may live in a palace so tall
With great riches to call my own
But I don't know a thing
In this whole wide world
That's worse then being alone.

-----------------------------

The lyrics in Mizo tawng (language):

Zan khawhar thim hnuai a kun a thu in,
Lungngaih mittui ka biang ah luangin;
Aw Lalpa hmel duhawm thlamuanna dilin,
Ka lam lo hawi leh ang che.

Nitin in ka ngai che, thlahlo in min chelh la,
He lei atanga hriat loh ram thlen thlengin;
Min hruaitu ni ang che, mal a awm loh nan.

Ram zau tak neiin lalber ah thu ila,
Ropui na zawng ka ta lo nise;
Mahse mala awm a nunkhawhar zawk chu,
Ka thlang lo he khawvel ah.