Meghalaya – The Abode of Clouds

Endowed with incredible natural beauty, Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful states in Northeast India. The pixie rainforests, living root bridges, commanding vistas with roaring high waterfalls, mountain drives under dramatic clouds, spotless villages, mysterious natural caves, crystal clear rivers, bright blue natural pools and the the most ridiculously friendly people.

This state is bounded to the south and the west by the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the north and the east by India’s Assam state. The capital is Shillong, known as the “Scotland of the East”.

Meghalaya has become a happening ‘weekend destination’ for the well heeled traveller who wants to see and experience something new and offbeat. Theoretically it is possible to fly to Guwahati and explore Meghalaya over a long weekend of 4-5 days.

About one third of the state is forested. The forests of Meghalaya are notable for their biodiversity of mammals, birds, and plants. The rich and varied flora and fauna of the state will take you through a magical journey never experienced before.

Shillong is the capital of the state and the largest city. The city is situated in the Khasi Hills. Shillong is the place to enjoy everything, starting from events, sightseeing, recreation, shopping, or unwinding oneself in a bar. The city has a character which can be felt only after exploring around the city.

Cherrapunji is 58 km from capital, about two hours south of Shillong, used to the wettest place on earth. This honor is given today to Mausynram, a stone throw further west. The area is lush green with waterfalls and an extensive underground cave network.

The climate of Meghalaya varies with the altitude. The climate of Khasi and Jaintia Hills is uniquely pleasant and bracing. It is neither too warm in summer nor too cold in winter, but over the plains of Garo Hills, the climate is warm and humid, except in winter. True to its name, the Meghalaya sky seldom remains free of clouds (megh, clouds; alaya, abode of). The average annual rainfall is about 1,150 cm.

Tourist attractions in Meghalaya is Shillong, Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong and the various Festivals held all the year in the state.

Shillong

Shillong is the only hill station in the country that is accessible from all sides. The name Shillong is derived from U-Shyllong, a powerful deity and is situated at an altitude of 1,491m above sea level. The presence of many well reputed educational institutions, many of them established by various missionary groups make Shillong the hub of education for the entire north-east.

Must visit spots in Shillong are Lady Hydari Park, Ward’s Lake, Elephant Falls.

Lady Hydari Park is best known for beautiful bed of roses that blossom here in various colours. The park also has a butterfly museum a special play area for kids that offer swings like sea-saws, slips and other small rides for children.

Ward’s Lake is a refreshing pool surrounded by beautiful gardens in the heart of the city. The serene lake and the cool shades of trees around it, makes it a nice spot for sightseeing and boating. In winter the park sheds most of its hues along with the leaves; except for the oddly rejuvenated cherry blossoms, which paint the park in lovely off-white pink.

Elephant Falls was the British name of what the local Khasi people once referred to as Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew (or “Three Steps Waterfalls”) since the falls actually consisted of three sections in succession. Of the three waterfalls (all of which were easily reached by the same short and easy walking path), the bottom tier was the most impressive.

Mawlynnong

Blessed with pristine natural beauty, Mawlynnong is a community based eco-tourism initiative by Meghalaya Tourism Department. This 100 years old village won the title of Asia’s cleanest village in 2003 and the cleanest village in India in 2005 which was given by the travel magazine ‘Discover India’. There were about 95 homes in Mawlynnong and the people residing here belong to the Khasi and Garo tribe. The village community has made collective effort to maintain the ambience of a clean village.

The village offers picturesque natural beauty, a trek to the living root bridge at a neighbouring village Riwai. The village also offers a sight of natural balancing rock, a strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing on another rock.

The village is quite pretty, especially in the monsoons when there is lush greenery all around, with waterfalls paving the way to small streams and abundance of flowering orchids dangling from the trees and hedges add to the beauty of the village.

Living roots bridges is the natural wonder has been declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The living route bridges are a phenomenon in itself. The bridges connect the aerial roots of one giant rubber tree and make a bridge hanging above the river.

One of the most popular attractions of Mawlynnong village is The Sky View which is the vantage point. This site has a viewing tower which is eighty five feet high and completely out of bamboo. The landscape of Bangladesh is visible from atop the tower, as this village is situated on the Indo Bangladesh border.

Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji in Meghalaya is one of the wettest places on the planet and the only place in India to receive rain throughout the year. The town of Cherrapunji is nestled in the East Khasi Hills about 50 km southwest of the state’s capital, Shillong. Cherrapunji, also known as Sohra or Churra, means ‘the land of oranges’.

Caving is something you should not miss if you are in Cherrapunji. There are around 750 caves in Meghalaya, out of which only 150 caves are explored. There are many caves you can explore with the help of a guide, few on your own. Mawsmai caves, a few miles further away from Cherrapunjee is fast emerging as a new tourist destination. The caves, made of limestone, spellbind the visitor the moment he enters the caverns. The entrance is well lit, but as one enters further inside, the eerie ness and the mystery, starts unfolding.

If you are a trekking enthusiast then Cherrapunji is the place you should visit. Cherrapunji has many famous trekking trails through the East Khasi Hills, tribal villages and forests. You will totally be enthralled by the beauty of the place when you cross hills, valleys and rivers which are loaded with lush green forest, waterfalls, living root bridges and picturesque villages. Do not miss a trek to the living Root Bridge and Double Decker Root Bridge.

Mountain biking is one of the major attractions for the adventure enthusiasts in Cherrapunji. The best season to go biking here is from October to May, when the weather is pleasant and it does not rain heavily.

Nohkalikai Falls is the tallest plunge waterfall in India. Its height is 1115 feet (340 metres). The waterfall is located near Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on Earth.

Also, visit the Mawsmai Nongthymmai Eco Park, Wakaba Falls, Dainthlen Waterfall, Mawlynnong Village and Mawkdok Dympep Valley View while being in Cherrapunji.

Meghalaya Festivals

The tribes of Meghalaya celebrates various festivals with great pomp and show.

Wangala (or dance of hundred drums) festival is an important event of the Garos. This festival marks the end of a period of toil, heralding a yield of good harvest. It is performed in honor of ‘Satyong’, the God of fertility. People, young and old, dressed in their in their colorful costumes and feathered head dress, dance to the beat of long cylindrical drums. Held annually in November, the festival lasts for a week.

Doregata Dance is another interesting dance where, while dancing, the women try to knock off the turbans of their male partner using their head. If the women succeed, it is followed by peals of laughter.

The Chambil Mesara or Pomelo Dance is a solo dance-form that requires skill. The performer dangles a pomelo on a cord tied to his waist and then hurls it around without any perceptible movement of the hips. Expert dancers can hurl two separate fruits hung on a cord.

Nongkrem Dance is a religious festival marked by thanksgiving to God Almighty for good harvest, peace, and prosperity of the community. It is held annually during October/November, at Smit, the capital of the Khyrim Syiemship near Shillong. Men and women, both married and unmarried, perform the dance in the open.

One of the most important festivals of the Khasis is Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem (or dance of the joyful heart). It is an annual thanksgiving dance held in Shillong in April. Men and women, dressed in traditional fineries, dance to the accompaniment of drums and the flute. The festival lasts for three days.

Behdiengkhlam, celebrated annually in July after the sowing period, is the most important dance festival of the Jaintias. Young men make a symbolic gesture of driving away of the evil spirit, plague, and pestilence by beating of the roof of every house with bamboo poles.

Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful and breath taking places to visit in India. It is similar to entering a whole new world. If you are one amongst those who are attracted towards nature, like to go through new experiences, are amazed by skies full of stars and spectacular waterfalls then Meghalaya is indeed a place to visit.