12:00 AM, August 16, 2016 / LAST MODIFIED: 03:12 AM, August 16, 2016
A waterfall with pristine beauty
Porikundo lies tucked away behind Moulvibazar hills
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Nestled in the midst of a deep forest in Moulvibazar's Barlekha upazila, this waterfall is known as Porikundo. There are many stories and myths centering the waterfall. Photo: Mintu Deshwara
Mintu Deshwara
Riding on the back of rumbling thunder, the moist wind carries the monsoon notes down the green hills of Moulvibazar. As their whispers reach the earth, a spa for fairies -- hidden from human eyes -- comes to life at Porikundo waterfall.
"As a child, I saw fairies, in my dreams, bathing in Porikundo," says 90-year-old Sila Lyngdohkiri, a resident of Madhabkundo punjee, a Khasi village in Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar.
The village of indigenous people has many more stories about the secluded waterfall. The fall gets its name from the words “Pori” meaning fairy and “Kundo” meaning spring.
If visitors walk a kilometre down from the tourist attraction of Madhobkundo waterfall, they will find this mystical piece of heaven on earth.
"Madhabkundo waterfall is open for all but not Porikundo," says the oldest woman of the village, 95-year-old Dabi Khain in Khasi language.
"It is only for fairies," she said as if revealing an age-old secret. "A large number of fairies come and bathe in the falls. It is their area." Local do not visit the area often to avoid “disturbing fairies” as advised by elders for generations.
Dabi claims that the fairies come down to earth at the fall only during the rainy season when the fall water becomes pure and virginal, springing out of the earth with renewed splendour during the monsoons.
"During the dry season, it remains dormant," she said.
Large stones lay on the path that leads to this lesser known but captivating waterfall. The photos were taken recently. Photo: Mintu Deshwara
"Our ancestors believed these fairies have powers and so were revered like gods. And so they forbade us from visiting Porikundo," said Wanbor Lyngdohkiri, montri (headman) of Madhabkundo punjee.
According to 55-year-old Saidul Ahmed, security guard of Madhabkundo waterfall, Porikundo is more beautiful. “Visitors don't go there because they don't really know about it," he said.
Sexagenarian Mihir Ghagra, president of Education Centre Management Committee of Madhabkundo Punjee Education Centre, said he first heard about the fall when he worked as teacher at the punjee school 25 years ago.
"Most students would share stories about Porikundo, retelling stories told by their grandparents for generations," he said.
Assistant Sub-inspector Feroz Ahmed, a tourist police of Madhabkundo waterfall, said the path leading to Porikundo is difficult and risky and one needs local guides to get there.
"It is a walk through a slippery path over the stream leading to the waterfall. It's just 25-30 minutes' walk from Madhabkundo along knee-deep water body filled with moss-covered rocks," he said.
However, the treat that awaits the eyes is well worth this risky journey. A large variety of wild flowers and deep green foliage along the path create a rather mesmerising atmosphere around the fall, especially on a rainy day. The sound of drops of water fills the air with a harmonious tune while chirping of small birds adds to the serenity of the place making it as enchanting as it can be.
Nearly 150 feet high, the water of the fall whizzes down a steep hill spreading out below. The surrounding nature soaks itself in the cool and peaceful ambiance of the fall creating a picture that can only be imagined in a dream.
For a refreshing dip in this mystical spring water, one should take a chance and visit this point, where fairies come down to earth, even if for a little while.