Khangkhui Cave, in Ukhrul district, Manipur, is a large natural limestone cave in the Tangkhul hills, equal parts geology, archaeology and recent history. Locals call it Khangkhui Mangsor, and it sits above the village of Khangkhui Khullen, east of Ukhrul town. People came here first for shelter and legend, and later for the Stone-Age artefacts dug out of its floor. This guide covers how to reach it, what you can see inside, permits, and how to fit it into a wider Manipur trip.
Khangkhui Cave is a natural limestone cave about 15–16 km east of Ukhrul town in Manipur, known for two large chambers, Palaeolithic finds and its use as a shelter during the Second World War. Entry is informal and undeveloped, so a local guide with a lamp is essential to go inside safely.
Key takeaways
- Khangkhui Cave sits about 15–16 km east of Ukhrul town, per the Ukhrul district administration, at roughly 25.0523°N, 94.4036°E.
- The cave has no lighting or ticket counter; take a local guide and a lamp, as the showcaves.com survey and tourism reports confirm.
- Archaeologist Dr O. K. Singh explored and excavated the cave in 1969, and official pages list Palaeolithic (Stone-Age) artefacts found here.
- Villagers used the cave as a shelter during the Second World War, which is why the area is being promoted for war and eco-tourism.
- All non-Manipuri Indian travellers need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Manipur; the official temporary tourist permit is valid for 30 days.
- Best visited between October and May; reach Ukhrul from Imphal (about 83 km) by shared taxi or bus in 3–4 hours.
About Khangkhui Cave: quick facts
Khangkhui Cave is a natural limestone cave formed in the hills above Khangkhui Khullen village, in the eastern part of Ukhrul district, Manipur. The Ukhrul district administration describes it as “essentially a natural limestone cave” lying about 15–16 km east of Ukhrul town.
Do not confuse it with Hundung Mangva, a separate limestone cave in the same district, or with Khangkhui Khullen the village, which shares its name. “Mangsor” in the local name comes from a king in the cave’s folklore, explained below. The cave is also written Kangkhui or Khangkhui Mangsor in official listings.
The ground here is karst country: soluble limestone that water has hollowed into chambers and shafts over a very long time. According to showcaves.com, a cave-survey reference, the rock is Cretaceous limestone, and a deep natural shaft near the cave is known locally as Shirata, the “falling star hole”. The cave interior is dark and undeveloped, with only rough trails worn by visitors.
| Full name | Khangkhui Cave (Khangkhui Mangsor), Khangkhui Khullen, Ukhrul district, Manipur |
|---|---|
| Type | Natural limestone (karst) cave |
| Distance from Ukhrul town | About 15–16 km east (Ukhrul district administration) |
| Coordinates | Approx. 25.0523°N, 94.4036°E (district administration map link) |
| Lighting / tickets | No lighting and no formal ticket counter; local guide with lamp needed |
| Best season | October to May (dry months) |
| Nearest airport | Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal |
| Permit | Inner Line Permit required for non-Manipuri Indians |
The legend and the wartime story
The name Khangkhui Mangsor carries a local legend, told as folklore rather than history. According to local belief recorded by showcaves.com, a king named Mangsorwung built chambers inside the cave for his wives and sons; two of the halls are still called the “First Wife Chamber” and “Second Wife Chamber”, and the largest is said to have been his throne room. In some versions he is called the “Devil King”. Treat all of this as oral tradition, not documented fact.
The more recent history is better attested. The Ukhrul district administration and Incredible India both state that local people used Khangkhui Cave as a shelter during the Second World War, when fighting reached the hills of Manipur and Nagaland in 1944. The cave itself was a refuge; the nearby ridge of Mount Harva Khangai is linked by the village tourism body to a battle on 11 March 1944, as reported by The Sangai Express. These are two separate sites, and the cave is the shelter rather than the battlefield.
The cave’s archaeology is older still. The district administration says “many important artefacts, dating back to the Palaeolithic culture” have been found here, and the Manipur Tourism department notes excavations revealing Stone-Age habitation. Tourism listings credit Dr O. K. Singh with exploring and excavating the cave in 1969. Because the finds are significant, officials frame the site as one for students and researchers as much as sightseers.
Best time to visit Khangkhui Cave
The best time to visit Khangkhui Cave is October to May, when the dry weather makes the hill road and the unlit cave floor safer. Ukhrul sits high in the Tangkhul hills and is cool for much of the year; the monsoon months bring heavy rain that turns trails slick and can disrupt the already poor approach road.
If you want the region at its liveliest, aim for the Shirui Lily Festival, which Manipur Tourism usually holds in May around the bloom of the Shirui lily (Lilium mackliniae, the state flower, which Manipur Tourism says grows only in the Shirui hill range at about 8,500 ft). Festival dates have shifted between years, so confirm the schedule with the Manipur Tourism department before you plan around it.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn–winter | Oct–Feb | Dry, cold mornings, clear hill views; best for the cave and treks |
| Spring | Mar–May | Mild, flowers on the hills; Shirui Lily Festival usually in May |
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Heavy rain, slippery trails, road more likely to be disrupted |
How to reach Khangkhui Cave
Reaching Khangkhui Cave means first getting to Ukhrul town and then driving east toward Khangkhui Khullen village. The nearest airport is Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal; the nearest railhead is Dimapur in Nagaland. There is no airport, railway or direct long-distance bus to Ukhrul itself, so the last leg is always by road.
Manipur Tourism puts Ukhrul about 83 km east of Imphal, linked by NH 150; other listings quote 90 km. Daily passenger buses and shared Sumo-type taxis run from the Inter State Bus Terminus near Khuman Lampak in Imphal, taking roughly 3–4 hours. From Ukhrul town, the cave is about 15–16 km east on a narrow and often rough hill road, so hire a local vehicle and allow extra time. For the wider region and routes into Manipur, see our Manipur travel guide.
| Leg | Distance / time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Imphal airport → Ukhrul town | About 83 km (Manipur Tourism); 3–4 hr | Shared taxi or bus from Imphal ISBT, Khuman Lampak |
| Ukhrul town → Khangkhui Cave | About 15–16 km east | Hired car / local taxi on hill road |
| Cave entrance → chambers | Short walk, on foot | With a local guide and lamp |
| Nearest railhead (Dimapur) | Long road transfer | Via Imphal or Nagaland road routes |
What to see at the cave and around it
The main draw is the cave interior itself: two broad chambers with high ceilings, reached by a short scramble from the entrance. The showcaves.com survey notes the cave has no electric lighting, so guides bring lamps and lead visitors through the dark. Keep to the worn trails, watch your footing on wet limestone, and do not touch or break formations.
Above and around the village there is more than the cave. The Sangai Express reports wartime trenches and military remains near Khangkhui Khullen, Mount Khorung, orchids, seasonal flowers and a trekking route east of the cave, which is why the village is being promoted for combined war and eco-tourism. Shirui hill, home to the Shirui lily, is the district’s best-known trek and pairs well with a cave visit.
| Spot | What it is | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Khangkhui Cave chambers | Two large limestone halls; folklore names and Stone-Age finds | 1–2 hr with guide |
| Shirata shaft | Deep natural pit near the cave, the “falling star hole” | Short stop; keep well back from the edge |
| Khangkhui Khullen village | Tangkhul village, wartime trenches and military remains nearby | 1–2 hr |
| Shirui hill trek | Ridge trek, panoramic views, Shirui lily habitat | Half to full day |
A suggested two-day itinerary
Khangkhui Cave is a half-day outing best combined with Ukhrul’s other sights over two days. A sample plan:
- Day 1: Drive Imphal to Ukhrul in the morning (3–4 hours); settle in, walk the town market, and acclimatise to the cool hill air.
- Day 2: Early drive east to Khangkhui Khullen; explore the cave with a local guide, see the wartime remains and the Shirata shaft, then return to Ukhrul by afternoon.
- Add a day if you want the Shirui hill trek, which deserves its own early start.
If you are routing through the state capital first, our Manipur travel guide sets out how Ukhrul fits with Imphal, Loktak and the valley sights.
Where to stay
There is no hotel at the cave itself, so base yourself in Ukhrul town, which has the district’s small cluster of guesthouses and homestays. The Sangai Express reports that the state government sanctioned funds for a tourist lodge, community hall and gate at Khangkhui Khullen, but you should confirm whether any village accommodation is actually open before relying on it; one earlier report said a guest house near the village was poorly managed.
The indicative bands below are planning estimates only and should be reconfirmed, as Ukhrul has few rooms and prices move with demand around the festival:
- Budget homestays / guesthouses: roughly ₹800–₹1,500 a night (indicative — reconfirm).
- Mid-range hotels / better homestays: roughly ₹1,800–₹3,500 a night (indicative — reconfirm).
- Festival period (May): book well ahead; rooms fill and rates rise.
During the Shirui Lily Festival the village authority told The Sangai Express that at least 600 people visited the cave in a single day, so rooms in Ukhrul are scarce at that time.
Food to try
Ukhrul is Tangkhul Naga country, and the food leans toward boiled, smoked and fermented dishes rather than heavy curries. Expect rice with simple accompaniments: boiled seasonal greens, smoked pork or beef, fresh river fish where available, and chutneys built around the local chilli. Ask hosts what is in season; homestays are the most reliable place to eat home-cooked meals.
- Smoked meat (pork or beef, cured over the hearth) with rice.
- Boiled greens and vegetables (eaten with a chilli-based chutney rather than oily gravies).
- Axone / fermented preparations (strong-smelling fermented soybean, used as a base in parts of the Northeast; offered in some kitchens).
- Local rice (the staple at every meal; carry snacks for the cave, as there are no shops there).
Budget breakdown
A trip to Khangkhui Cave is cheap on fees and dear on transport, because the cost sits in reaching Ukhrul and hiring a vehicle for the last leg rather than in any ticket. The per-person estimate below is a planning guide for two days from Imphal, sharing a room and a taxi; reconfirm every figure locally.
| Item | Estimate (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inner Line Permit (tourist) | Nominal official fee | 30-day temporary permit; confirm fee on the state portal |
| Imphal–Ukhrul return (shared) | ₹600–₹1,200 | Shared taxi or bus; private cars cost more |
| Local vehicle to cave | ₹500–₹1,200 | Shared if split between travellers; hill road |
| Guide at the cave | Pay locally | No fixed rate; agree before entering |
| Stay (1 night, shared) | ₹500–₹1,800 | Budget to mid-range, per person sharing |
| Food (2 days) | ₹400–₹800 | Homestay and local meals |
| Indicative total | ₹2,000–₹5,000+ | Excludes flights/train to Imphal; reconfirm all |
Permits and rules
Every non-Manipuri Indian traveller needs an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Manipur, and that includes a visit to Khangkhui Cave. The ILP regime took effect on 1 January 2020 under a presidential order dated 11 December 2019. According to the official Manipur ILP portal, the temporary permit meant for tourists is valid for 30 days and cannot be renewed.
Apply online in advance at manipurilponline.mn.gov.in, or collect a permit at counters including Imphal Airport, Mao Gate and Jiribam railway station; a self-service kiosk issues eligible temporary permits after payment. Foreign nationals are treated differently from Indian citizens and should confirm whether a Protected Area Permit applies for this part of Manipur before travelling.
At the cave itself there is no published entry fee or fixed timing. Older survey data recorded free, unrestricted entry with local guides; one travel listing quotes a small ticket, but this is not confirmed by an official source, so treat any fee as “reconfirm locally”. Standard etiquette applies: do not damage or remove formations or artefacts, carry out your litter, and respect that Khangkhui Khullen is a living village, not an attraction.
Practical tips
- Guide and light: the cave is unlit and undeveloped; never go in without a local guide and a reliable torch or headlamp with spare batteries.
- Footwear: wear grippy, closed shoes. Limestone is slick, and there is a scramble to the chambers and a deep shaft nearby.
- Cash: carry enough cash. Mobile network, ATMs and UPI are unreliable in the hills, so do not count on paying guides or homestays digitally.
- Health: the nearest hospital is in Ukhrul town; there are no medical facilities at the cave. Carry basic first aid.
- Road: the approach road has long been flagged as poor in local reports, so budget extra time and avoid driving it after dark.
- Solo women: Ukhrul is generally calm, but services are thin; travel to the cave in daylight, ideally with a group or arranged guide, and keep someone informed of your plan.
- Packing: layers for cold mornings year-round; a rain shell in the monsoon; water and snacks, as there are no shops at the cave.
Nearby places
Khangkhui Cave pairs naturally with Ukhrul’s other hill sights, most of them within a day’s reach:
| Place | Distance from Ukhrul | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Shirui hill (Shirui Kashong) | Short drive from Ukhrul town | District’s signature trek; Shirui lily habitat |
| Khangkhui Khullen village | At the cave | Tangkhul village, wartime trenches, war-tourism plans |
| Hundung Mangva cave | Elsewhere in Ukhrul district | Another limestone cave for cave enthusiasts |
| Imphal | About 83 km | Capital; Kangla, Loktak and the valley sights — see our Manipur guide |
Frequently asked questions
Where is Khangkhui Cave and how far is it from Ukhrul?
Khangkhui Cave is in Ukhrul district, Manipur, above Khangkhui Khullen village in the Tangkhul hills. The Ukhrul district administration places it about 15–16 km east of Ukhrul town. Ukhrul itself is roughly 83 km east of Imphal by road, around a 3–4 hour drive, so the cave is a day trip from the town.
Do I need a permit to visit Khangkhui Cave?
Yes. Every non-Manipuri Indian traveller needs an Inner Line Permit to enter Manipur, which has been required since 1 January 2020. The official tourist permit is a 30-day temporary permit, applied for at manipurilponline.mn.gov.in or collected at counters such as Imphal Airport. Foreign nationals should separately confirm whether a Protected Area Permit applies.
Is there an entry fee for Khangkhui Cave?
There is no entry fee published by any official source for Khangkhui Cave, and older survey data recorded free, unrestricted entry. One travel listing mentions a small ticket, but this is not officially confirmed, so treat any charge as something to reconfirm on the ground. Plan instead to pay a local guide, whose rate is agreed locally.
Can you go inside Khangkhui Cave without a guide?
You should not. Khangkhui Cave has no electric lighting and only rough trails, and there is a deep natural shaft nearby. Local guides lead visitors through the dark with lamps, as cave surveys note. Going in alone risks getting lost or hurt on the slick limestone, so hire a village guide and carry your own torch as backup.
What is the best time to visit Khangkhui Cave?
The best time is October to May, when dry weather keeps the hill road and the unlit cave floor safer. Avoid the June–September monsoon, when rain makes trails slippery and the approach road more likely to be disrupted. For the region’s main event, the Shirui Lily Festival usually falls in May; confirm dates with Manipur Tourism before planning around it.
Why is Khangkhui Cave historically important?
Khangkhui Cave matters on two counts. Official pages say Palaeolithic (Stone-Age) artefacts have been found inside, with Dr O. K. Singh credited with exploring and excavating it in 1969. Separately, villagers used the cave as a shelter during the Second World War, which is why Khangkhui Khullen is now being promoted as a war and eco-tourism site.
Last updated and sources
Go if you like caves with real depth of story: Stone-Age layers, folklore and a wartime refuge in one undeveloped hill. The best window is the dry season from October to May, and the cave works best as part of a two-day Ukhrul trip rather than a rushed stop.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Ukhrul district administration, Khangkhui Mangsor Cave page (ukhrul.nic.in); Manipur Tourism department, Ukhrul district page (manipurtourism.gov.in); Manipur ILP online portal, About ILP (manipurilponline.mn.gov.in); Incredible India, Khangkhui lime caves; showcaves.com cave survey, Khangkhui Mangsor (showcaves.com); The Sangai Express, “Steps on to harness tourism potential of Khangkhui Khullen”, 21 September 2022 (thesangaiexpress.com). Accessed September 2026.
