Thangkhal Community holds Fasting Prayer at Kulhvum Hill

The Thangkhal community climbs Kulhvum Hill, located within the Mulam hill range, every year for a day of fasting and prayer. In 2019, this sacred journey took place on 6 April.

Reaching Kulhvum is not easy. It involves a long and demanding trek, but the faithful make the climb with devotion and purpose.

Kulhvum was officially inaugurated as the Thangkhal Prayer Mountain on 7 March 1992 by Rev. S. Khamchinhang, in association with the Thangkhal Sinlai Pawlpi (Thangkhal Students’ Union). Since then, it has remained a place of deep spiritual importance for the community.

On the mountain, the Thangkhals spend the entire day in fasting and prayer, often shedding tears as they seek God’s mercy and blessings. In the evening, they return home, strengthened in faith and hope.

Earlier in the same year, a fasting prayer was also held at Mulam on 9 January 2019. The prayer meeting was conducted under the leadership of Elder Zalianpau, Local Chairman, M. Tanglian TBC.

Brief background of Kulhvum and Mulam

Mulam is a hill situated on the top of a mountain range between two hills—Kulhvum and Gamdawng Vum. The name Mulam comes from two words: mu (kite) and laam (soaring over the hills). The sight of a kite soaring high was seen by the Thangkhal forefathers as a sign that the mountain would provide abundant food and resources.

Kulhvum is a hill from which the surrounding areas can be clearly seen. In earlier times, it served as a lookout point during periods of danger. Gamdawng Vum, on the other hand, is pasture land where cattle once grazed freely on open grass.

Mulam was the first settlement of the Thangkhals. It was here that Pu Thawngluan was not allowed to stay and preach the Gospel, and he was chased out from Mulam.

Today, within the Mulam hill range, the Thangkhal people gather to seek God’s blessings. The hills have come to be regarded as sacred, carrying both historical memory and deep spiritual meaning for the community.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal

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