MESMERIZING MEGHALAYA TOURISM
Meghalaya, the abode of clouds, is one of the most beautiful states in the North-East India offering a variety of sights, activities, food and festivals to the tourists.The state’s population predominantly comprises the Jaintia, Khasi and Garo tribal groups, who live in the eastern, central and western parts respectively.
Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya, and it’s the most urbanization you will see in the entire state. Shillong has a lot of leftover British colonial influence that is evident from the plentiful British architecture.
How to Reach Meghalaya-
Rail-There are no rail lines in Meghalaya. The nearest railway station is Guwahati. It is 104 km from Shillong and very well connected with all major cities of India.
Air-There is a small airport at Umroi, about 35 km from Shillong. At present, Air India operates with ATR42 type of aircraft on this route.Another convenient airport, the Gopinath Bordoloi Airport in Guwahati (128 km from Shillong) is connected to rest of India with regular flights.
Road–National Highway 40, an all-weather road, connects Shillong with Guwahati.
Best Time To Visit-
The best time to visit Meghalaya is between October and June,Meghalaya is not often recommended to tourists during peak monsoons. The state receives an average rainfall of 250 cm.
Monthly Weather in Meghalaya
Month | Avg. Minimum (°C) | Avg. Maximum (°C) |
---|---|---|
January | 11 | 26 |
February | 13 | 29 |
March | 16 | 29 |
April | 20 | 31 |
May | 22 | 32 |
June | 23 | 32 |
July | 24 | 32 |
August | 24 | 34 |
September | 24 | 33 |
October | 22 | 33 |
November | 17 | 29 |
December | 13 | 27 |
Festivals in Meghalaya-
- India International Cherry Blossom festival is scheduled to be held from November 14 to 17 in Shillong, Meghalaya. This festival is the world’s only autumn cherry blossom festival.
- Meghalaya celebrates Wangala in the month of November every year.
- Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya is also called the ‘Rock Capital of India’. Shillong Autumn Music Festival will held every Nov.There is a diverse crowd of rock, goth, metal, and punk fans. You can just relax and enjoy a wondrous affair with music. NH7 Weekender is one of them.
Local Cuisine of Meghalaya-
Meghalya’s cuisine is liberal, surprising and tinted with influences of the tribal cultures and styles the area. Rice with spicy meat and fish preparations is the staple food of people in Meghalaya.
Ferment rice beer usually accompanies religious rites and major ceremonies and celebrations. Dohshaiin, Tungtab, Red rice, Jadoh, Dohneiihong, Makham-Bitchi and Kappa are the delicacies that are almost constant in a traditional and authentic Meghalayan cuisine, so are the vegetarian options, Jhur Sideh, Daineiiong, and Muli Khleh.
12 Must-See Meghalaya Tourist Places for Nature Lovers
Shillong-
is the capital city of the State as well as the District headquarter of East Khasi Hills District. 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. This beautiful city is 103kms. from Guwahati, the nearest air and train link.
Shillong is also called the ‘Rock Capital of India’.
Must Visit Places-
- Lady Hydari Park
- Ward’s Lake
- Cathedral Catholic Church
- Golf Course
- Elephant Falls
- Shillong Peak
- Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures
- Spread Eagle Falls
Living Root Bridges
Possibly Meghalaya’s most famous attraction, deep in the dense tropical forest and shrouded in cloud and rain for much of the year, are some astonishing man-made natural wonders known as living root bridges. Inventive members of the Khasi tribe have trained them to grow from the roots of ancient rubber trees, native to the northeast region. There are two places that you can see the bridges: near Cherrapunji and Mawlynnong.
Cherrapunji
currently the historical name Sohra is more commonly used;s a subdivisional town in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya.it still holds the world record for the most rainfall in a calendar month and in a year. It received 9,300 mm (366 in) in July 1861 and 26,461 mm (1,041.75 in) between 1 August 1860 and 31 July 1861.
Must Visit Places-
- Double Decker Living Root Bridge
- Mawsmai Caves
- Nohkalikai Falls
Dawki-
If you have seen stunning pictures of boats sailing through crystal clear, blue green water, it is none other than Dawki. Located close to Bangladesh border, the bank of the Umngot river is a popular tourist spot for obvious reasons. Despite the crowd, it’s still worth your time because the river ride is a experience that leaves you spell bound. A better option is to sign up for adventure camps in Dawki to skip the crowd and experience the true beauty of the river.
Mawlynnong
Mawlynnong is a small village in the East Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya, the abode of changing clouds. Mawlynnong is famous for its matrilineal society as well as having been declared Asia’s cleanest village which comes under the Pynursla community.
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.
Suprisingly, the village has hundred percent literacy and most of the villagers are conversant with the English language. The village offers a number of small tea shops, where you can relish a hot of cup of tea with some snacks.
Tura- An unexplored bit of the Garo Hills
Located in the West Garo hills, Tura provides a spellbinding as well as serene environment being quite an unexplored town.
The main attraction of this town is the Nokrek National Park which is 12km from the town where various animals such as the leopard, golden cat, wild buffalo, pheasant and many more find habitat. One may also visit the Rongbang Dar Falls, while a trip to this area, without visiting the Siju caves, would remain somewhat incomplete. The entire area has the simple nature of an unexplored destination, with a shifted world.
Mawsynram
A rain lover’s paradise, Mawsynram is one of the best tourist attractions of India. The ‘Maw’ in Mawsynram is a Khasi word meaning ‘stone’. It symbolizes the unique megaliths unearthed in the Khasi Hill area. The village is well known for its huge formation of a stalagmite, which takes after the shape of a ‘Shivling’. Located in the East Khasi Hill district of Meghalaya, Mawsynram is 1400 m above sea level.
Mawsmai Falls Known as the fourth highest waterfall in India, Mawsmai Falls are situated a little away from Mawsynram. The height of the waterfall is 1,035 ft.
Monoliths
Many mysterious monoliths can be found spread across Meghalaya’s Khasi and Jaintia Hills, erected by the regions’ tribes as a symbol of remembrance. However, the largest collection is located in the vicinity of Nartiang village in the Jaintia Hills, about 2 hours east of Shillong. This village used to be the summer capital of the Jaintia rulers and is a lesser-known tourist destination perfect for escaping the crowds. Some of the many monoliths there are up to 10 meters tall!
Mawphlang Sacred Forest
Located approximately 45 minutes southwest of Shillong in the East Khasi Hills, Mawphlang is home to a sacred plant grove of the Khasi tribe. It’s full of medicinal plants. Tribe members also perform animal sacrifices and burn the bodies of their dead inside it. There’s a Khasi Heritage Village next to the sacred forest, with different styles of mock tribal huts. If you’re feeling energetic and want to spend a day out in nature, try the David Scott trail from Maphlang to Lad Mawphlang. This very picturesque treehouse trail is part of an old horse trail dating back to the British era.
Laitlum Canyon
You’ll feel like you’ve reached the end of the world at Laitlum Canyon, only about an hour south of Shillong. If you can tear yourself away from gazing across the open expanse of the gorge, it’s possible to hike down a steep stairway to the village of Rasong. The 350 or so inhabitants of this remote village rely on a rustic cable pulley to transport food and other essential goods up and down the valley.
Krang Suri Waterfalls, Jowai
It is blessed with shimmering blue waters and sparkling sunlight. This heady mixture of nature is sometimes known to create a rainbow. It’s truly a magical pool in nature’s wonderland.The Krang Shuri Waterfalls is one such popular falls, located about 30 kms from Jowai in the district of West Jaintia Hills.
The Krang Shuri Waterfalls is indeed a majestic place to visit in the summer. The colour of the plunge pool is what startles everyone. It is the most gorgeous shade of deep, copper sulphate blue.
Adventure Sports in Shnongpdeng
The village in Meghalaya where boats float in the air.
Shnongpdeng is a beautiful place located in the Jaintia hills of Meghalaya where the serene Umngot river flows. This river is so clean that the boats look like they are floating in thin air. The unknown cousin of Dawki this place is slightly off the tourist circuit. Shnongpdeng which is only 45 mins from Krang Suri.
Things to do there :
- Boating
- Fishing
- Walking on the Suspension Bridge
- Adventure Activities
- Camping
- Visiting the India Bangladesh Border