Meghalaya: “Scotland of the East”.
‘The abode of cloud’ is the meaning of the Sanskrit term Megh and Laya. Once it was the wettest place on the earth. Meghalaya with an area of approximately 22,430 square kilometres is the homeland to two major ethnic groups, the Hynniewtrep (Khasis and Jaintias of Austro-asiatic race) and the Achiks (Garos of Mongoloid race). English is the official language of Meghalaya. The other principal languages spoken include Khasi, Pnar and Garo.
Shillong is the capital city of the state as well as the district headquarter of East Khasi Hills District. The name Shillong is derived from U-Shyllong, a powerful deity and is situated at an altitude of 1,491m above sea level. In Shillong, you find many well reputed educational institutions, many of them established by various missionary groups make Shillong the hub of education for the entire north-east. In the heart of the city, there stands a beautiful cathedral of Roman Catholics dedicated to Mary Help of Christian. DBCIC a must visit museum contains seventeen galleries displaying cultural artefacts and paintings. It offers study and research facilities throughout its specialised library of 10,000 volumes, a media hall and a conference hall. This also provide 3600 panoramic view of the city. Beautiful places to hang yourself around within the city are Lady Hyderi Park and Ward’s Lake rich in flora and fauna. Just 12 kms away on the outskirts of the city lies Elephant falls where the mountain stream descends through three successive falls set in dells of fern-covered rocks. The Shillong Peak, 10 Km from the city at 1960 asl is another fantastic tourist spot offering majestic view of Mushrooming cityscape. The peak has a very important legend as it is generally believed to be the abode of a powerful deity known as ‘U SHYLLONG’ meaning Shyllong God. It is thus the name Shillong got its name. Iew Duh (Bara Bazar) is situated in the heart of Shillong town, ’Iew Duh’ is a traditional bazaar of about 200years – a best place tourists in search of local colour. Pure honey, bows and arrows, handicrafts, handwoven shawls and a variety of local artifacts are sold in this market. Shillong Golf Course one of the oldest and best natural golf course in the world is considered to be the “Gleneagle of the East” by the United States Golf Association and Museum. The site where the Golf Course is located provides a scenic view. It was set in an undulating valley covered with thick groves of pine and rhododendron trees with 18 (eighteen) hole course.
People in Meghalaya are cheerful, very friendly hardworking and have a helping mentality. Though the khasis now mostly follow Christianity, before that, they believed in a Supreme Being, The Creator -U Blei Nongthaw and which there are several deities of water and mountains and also of other natural objects. In north east India, the people of Meghalaya are the only tribes who follow matrilineal and matriarchal system. Culturally music is the life for the people of Meghalaya. Due to having such a interest in their traditional music, they are no less in embracing the western music, thereby the city earning the title of ‘Rock Capital’ of India.
Climate
In Meghalaya, the temperature varies with the altitudinal ranges. The most significantly, the Cherrapunjee (56 kms away from main capital Shillong southward) have the longest monsoon period of 5 months and receive average rainfall of about 12000mm per anum :
Summer : From May to July with temperature ranges from 320C to 360C. Humidity over 70%.
Monsoon: Variable duration but mostly in July to September with average rainfall of 1500 mm annually.
Winter: November to February with temperature ranging from minimum of 40C to 190C and maximum of 120C to 280C. Peak cold duration is 15th December to 30th January.
Spring: March and April with temperature ranges 250C to 320C. It usually is windy.
Important Destinations:
Cherrapunjee (Sohra):
Cherrapunjee is 56 kms from Shillong and is literally the highest point of any visit to Meghalaya. It is famous for its eco-friendly nature and also renowned for having the privilege of receiving the highest rainfall in the world. Set against the backdrop of breath-taking landscape, it is a place to discover the Indian summer monsoons, a unique annual meteorological phenomena directly influenced by the south west monsoon and the north east winds. The heavy monsoon rains over these mountains undoubtedly and this creates one of the rarest bio-diverse vegetations in the world. Truly a beautiful corner in north-east India, waiting to be discovered and explored. The old Cherra or Sohrarim was the original Cherra village but with the coming of the British who set up their headquarters further south, the village came to be known as ‘Sohra’ or present day Cherrapunjee. It was here that the British realized the enormity and intensity of the rainfall and set up a meteorological office for measuring the rain. Sohra was declared by the British to be the capital of Assam in 1832, which was later shifted to Shillong in 1866 due to the inclement weather.
Places to visit:
Mawkdok Dympep Valley View:
A few kms from Umtyngar, as one takes right turn from the road junction, one would come across a beautiful bridge known to the locals as the Duwan Singh Syiem Bridge. This is the entrance to the Sohra tourist circuit. From here the landscape abruptly changes into picturesque deep gorges. The Forest Department has constructed a view-point where visitors could stop for a while and enjoy the spectacular natural beauty.
Dain-Thlen Falls: Prestine and beautiful perhaps is the only falls in Meghalaya which can be seen in a very close range from the top down to valley of its fall. The waterfall derives its name from a Thlen or a snake of gigantic size which dwelt in a cave. Legend has it that the people destroyed the snake in order to get rid themselves of its reign of terror. Adjacent to the very spot where the Thlen was slaughtered lies the Dain-thlen Waterfalls. Natural rock carvings of the episode draw visitors to see the image of the Thlen, the symbol of greed, corruption and evil.
Nohkalikai falls: A hauntingly beautiful waterfall, cascading down from the top of the gorge to the mystic deep green pool below. It reminds one of the tragic legends, associated with a grief stricken mother who plunged to death, unable to overcome her sorrow over the murder of her daughter by her husband.
Mawmluh Cave:
Intrestingly, access to this Cave is via the river which lies to the south east of the Cement Factory. The entrance is about 10 ft. above water level. A single entrance leads to a double passageway, where the upper portions in certain areas have caved in due to the intensive quarrying of limestone above the cave. The river enters the cave and forms pools within the cave. This cave stretches for about 4,500 meters but is marred by polluted water entering the cave from the cement factory. Locally known as Krem Mawmluh, it is one of the longest caves in the Indian subcontinent.
Mawsmai Cave:
One of the easily accessed to witness one among many discovered caves in Meghalaya is a kind of lime stone cave which can be explored in short span of time(300mtrs). In the village there is a crossing, where one passes grasslands surrounded by forests, ending in an open clear field. From this clearing, a concrete pathway through the jungle leads up to the main cave entrance. This cave is the only cave that is fully lighted. The cave can be divided into two parts (old and new). Of the two, the new cave is yet to be lighted. It has impressive formations of large passages and chambers.
Nohsngithiang Falls:
Nohsngithiang Falls is also known as Mawsmai falls and popularly termed as seven sisters falls. It is located 1 km south of Mawsmai village and derives its name due to the fact that the waterfalls are situated in a south westerly position and gets illuminated by the sun from dawn to sunset. The vibrant colours of the setting sun on the waterfalls make it beautiful to behold.
Thangkharang Park:
This park on Mawsmai – Shella Road is about 8 kms from Sohra and is a popular tourist spot. Managed and well maintained by the State Forest Department. There are many rare and exotic orchids and some rare species of plants endemic to the area. A panoramic view of the plains of Bangladesh is clearly visible on a clear day from the park. You can spot the imposing Kynrem falls cascading down majestically in three stages. The bird sanctuary nearby Thangkarang with the awesome view of the imposing waterfalls, set against the backdrop of Bangladesh plains is a bonanza for tourists, both foreign and domestic.
Ka Khoh Ramhah:
Also known as Motrop, is an imposing single rock formation in the shape of a giant cone. According to folklore, this was the fossilized cone shaped basket of an evil giant. It lies in close proximity to two other very similar rocks standing like a pair of giant sentinels. During the heavy monsoons, water flows between the two rocks and the cascading waterfall presents a breathtaking sight. The place attracts a lot of visitors throughout the year and is an idyllic picnic spot.
Mawlynnong Village:
Mawlynnong nestled in the pristine hill state of Meghalaya is along the Indo-Bangla border. This cute and colourful little village is known for its cleanliness. The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture. They mostly grow betel nut. About 82 households live in Mawlynnon, keeping the surrounding environment clean is an age old tradition. Discover India magazine declared the village as the cleanest in Asia in 2003.
Mawlynnong Village has earned the distinction of being the cleanest village in India. It is situated 90 kms away from Shillong. Besides, this picturesque village offers many interesting sights such as the living root bridge and another strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing on another rock.
A dustbin made out of bamboo found all along the village is an innovative practise for maintaining the village with cleanliness. Everyone makes it a point that dirt and waste are not thrown anywhere. All the waste from the dustbin is collected and kept in a pit, which the villagers use as manure. The villagers are now on a mission to ban plastic. The village with cent per cent literacy is conscious and they are spreading the message of conservation and protection of the forest. Locals plant trees to ensure that the virgin forest is kept intact and also replenished.
Mawsynrum:
Mawsynram is a small village in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya state in north-eastern India. It is 56 kms away from the state capital – Shillong. Reportedly the wettest place on Earth, Mawsynram receives an average annual rainfall of 11,872 mm (about 39 feet). However, as there has been no meteorological department office in the area, practical and statistical purposes, Cherrapunjee has been recorded as the wettest place in the world. Mawsynram is a place where nature-loving people frequently visit. Tourists take pleasure in the steep sliding slopes, the fresh air, the rolling green mountains and the deafening and beautiful waterfalls.
In Mawsynram, there is a cave called the Mawjymbuin Cave which is one of the well known caves in Meghalaya. This cave, due to years of weathering and dripping of mineralized solutions and deposition of calcium carbonate has given rise to some magnificent stalagmites. These stalagmites are not only important but also of great interest for geological research because of their exquisiteness. The stalagmite of the Mawjymbuin Cave is shaped into a massive Shivalinga. The cave also has a dome shaped rock with a flat top called the Symper Rock.
Mawphlang Sacred Forest:
Located just 28 kms from Shillong -this sacred forest of Meghalaya is the most celebrated forest for the people whole over the world and this forests are steeped in spiritual belief and held in great veneration. They also represent some of the earliest representations of preserving the ancient ecosystems. This is a dense forest where the Lyngdoh (chief) used to offer sacrifices and prayers. Not a single leaf or branch should be broken or else a curse may befall on a person. This grove is surrounded by a lush green valley and a great variety of plants like orchids, include the carnivorous varieties and ferns grow here.
David Scot’s Trail :
This 16-km trek is a part of the famous horse-cart track that was built by David Scott – a British political officer in early 19th centuary that stretches from Cherrapunjee to Bangladesh and thus named after him. This easy to medium level trek is very ideal path for akin hikers to explore its beauty hidden within the nature like Sacred forest, Khasi villages and folklore of its people.