Traveling to Meghalaya, the Heaven on Earth

Nestled in the hills of the eastern sub-Himalayas, surrounded by the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo Hills, Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful states of India. Its beauty is very simple but adorable. Mother nature has blessed this place with all the beautiful treasures she has, Sparkling Rivers, Cascading waterfalls, Mysterious Caves, Lush Green dense forests, Exotic Spices and Herbs, Diversified Floras and Faunas, Rich Soils, and Liberal Clouds. Traveling to Meghalaya is a traveler’s paradise. Honestly, Meghalaya is halfway between heaven and earth. 

Meghalaya Trip – is it safe to visit Meghalaya?

Meghalaya is perhaps one of the safest states in India. The local peoples here are very friendly and helpful. Being a matrilineal society Meghalaya is also one of the safe places for women. Crimes against women are hardly seen. Traveling to Meghalaya is altogether a different experience. People around you will make you feel that you are at home.

How to Reach Meghalaya?

By Surface – if you want to visit Meghalaya by road, then it will be better for you to approach Guwahati. Guwahati in Assam has good Air, Rail, and Road connectivity with the rest of the world. Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya has a domestic airport, that is connected by flights from Kolkata, Guwahati, and New Delhi, but you will have very little option. From Guwahati, you can easily reach Shillong by road. It’s around a 100 km drive. Private or Shared Taxis, Buses, Bikes, and every option are available at Guwahati to reach the destination.

In Meghalaya, it’s better if you start your trip from Shillong. The Main Taxi Stand is the Police Bazar Stand. It is also the main marketplace of the city. The Meghalaya Tourism Office is also located inside the market. In Shillong, you have the option to hire a bike or scooter, taxis, and Buses to roam around.

Best Places to visit: Traveling to Meghalaya, the Heaven on Earth

Shillong the Vibrant Modern & Friendly “Scotland of the East”.

Shillong is the state capital of Meghalaya and the main cultural hub of the State. It is a microcosm of the entire Northeast region. It’s also the regional academic nerve center of the entire adjoining states, and therefore the city has many young, creative, and aspiring populations. Here you can see a lot of British architectural influences. The charm of the old hill town still resonates in many corners here and its culture and landscape are the perfect blends of modern and traditional ethos. Spending time at bustling cafes and restaurants is a wonderful experience. The town’s nightlife attracts revelers from everywhere and its live music venues have provided the stage to famous local and international musicians.

Attractions in Shillong: 

Plenty of places to visit here – Ward’s Lake, Lady Hydari Park, Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Shillong Golf Course, Smit, Laitlum Canyons, Bishop & Beadon falls, and Umiam Lake.

Top Churches in Shillong:

Cathedral Of Mary Help of Christians

This church was built in 1913. Initially, it was built on a wooden structure. The current one was rebuilt over the remains of the initial structure that was engulfed in flames during a fire in 1936. The construction of the church is based on Gothic architecture. It also has an underground grotto church. On a clear day, one can get a magnificent visage of the Himalayas and the Brahmaputra River from the Church (located on a small hill). The church attracts a lot of tourists for its amazing architecture and big stained-glass work. These glasses were brought from France.

All Saints Church

All Saints Church is considered one of the oldest churches in Shillong. The foundation stone of this Church was laid by Lord Nortbrook, then Viceroy of India in 1874, and construction was completed by 1877. But, it was demolished by a massive earthquake on June 12, 1897. It was reconstructed again in 1902. The location of the church was chosen by the British who thought that it resembled Scotland, which is somehow true. The church was built based on colonial architecture. The church also exhibits one of the finest collections of stained-glass windows. The church bells were brought from Croydon in the United Kingdom. 

Cherrapunji, the Wettest Place in the World

This place was originally known as Sohra, which was pronounced by the British “Cherra”. This name eventually evolved as Cherrapunji. It is located on the Shillong plateau about 55 km from Shillong. This is perhaps the only place in India with just one season, the monsoon. It varies from heavy to medium to light, but there is no month without rain. July is the month of heavy pouring, with an average of 16.4 inches of rainfall. However, it rains mostly at night, so it does not disrupt day-to-day activity. It was earlier known as the wettest place in the world, but barely 10 km from this place stands the village named Mawsynram, which has snatched away the heaviest rainfall record by a slender margin. Mawsynram receives 11,872mm of annual rainfall whereas Cherrapunji gets 11,777mm. You can visit Cherrapunji from Shillong and come back in a day. But nature lovers prefer to spend a night here.

Attractions in Cherrapunji:

Titled one of the wettest places on Earth, Cherrapunji is replete with many tourist attractions to explore.

• Mawsmai Cave – Offering a thrilling experience, the cave is a work of nature.
• Krem Mawmluh Cave – The fourth-longest cave with a pool formed because of five different rivers.
• Nohkalikai Falls – The tall plunge waterfall in India presents a sight to behold during monsoon.
• Double Decker Living Root Bridge – Presenting a unique example of bioengineering, the two-tier bridge is almost 100 feet long.
• Seven Sisters Falls – Falling from a height of 1033 feet, the Seven Sisters Falls or the Nohsngithiang Falls are 70 meters wide.
• Dainthlen Falls – A large number of potholes make the waterfalls look splendid.
• Krem Phyllut – Several caves make it one of the popular tourist attractions.
• Thangkharang Park – Located on the cliff’s edge, the park overlooks the Kynrem Falls.
• Eco Park – To witness beautiful blooming orchids.
• Kynrem Falls – Towering mountain waterfall visible from the road.
• Motrop or Khoh Ramhah – Cone-shaped rock formation which was once believed to be a giant’s basket.
• Mawsmai Falls – Highest waterfall in India.
• The Mawkdok Dympep Valley View – A viewpoint offering stunning scenery of the surroundings.
• Nongsawlia – Great work by Welsh Missionaries makes it one of the most visited sites.
• Khasi Monoliths – Passages of the ancient caves.
• Nokrek National Park – A park with a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Places to Visit Near Cherrapunji

After a relaxing holiday, here are some places to visit near Shillong and Cherrapunji you can explore –

• Arwah Cave 
• Spread Eagle Falls
• Lum Kshaid View Point
• Manipur Memorial 
• Garden of Caves 
• Wankhar Entomology Museum

Mawlynnong: The Cleanest village in Asia

Mawlynnong is declared by Discover India Magazine, as the “cleanest village in Asia”. The place is around 80 km from Shillong and it comes en route while traveling to Dawki from Shillong.

The village is extremely clean and well-maintained. Plastics are banned here. With greenery all around and colorful flowers and orchids, the experience in Mawlynnong is simply Awesome.

Attractions in Mawlynnong: There is another single-decker Living root bridge in Riwai village. There is a balancing rock that you can visit. There is a viewpoint to have gorgeous views of the Bangladesh plains.

Dawki is, a fascinating boating Experience

Dawki is the last town on the Indian side before Bangladesh Border. It is the most picture-perfect spot in Meghalaya and is also very famous amongst tourists for the fascinating Umngot River, also known as Dawki River, which features water so clear it could be mistaken for see-through glass. You can stay at Dawki or move forward to Shnongpdeng, another beautiful hamlet on the banks of the Umngot River. There are several homestays at Shnongpdeng and camping options are also available at both Dawki and Shnongpdeng.

Attractions at Dawki & Shnongpdeng: Several water sports activities like country boat riding, scuba diving, cliff jumping, and angling.

Mawphlang, Sacred Grove

Around 45 km from Shillong, the Mawphlang Sacred Groves is situated in the East Khasi Hills at Mawphlang village. This place is known as ‘Nature’s Museum’. This forest has an ancient history and is Meghalaya’s most famous sacred grove. It harbors many well-diverse flowers, medicinal plants, trees, mushrooms, birds, and insects. Spanning a land area of around 193 acres, the forest is protected by the members of the Lyngdoh clan.

They believe that this forest is the abode of the Khasi deity, Labasa, who protects the clan and the village from all harm. On arrival, visitors are left awestruck by the scenic beauty of the area: beautiful green meadows stretching out far and wide, with the woods tucked away in a corner. Mawphlang is home to over 400 species of plants, at least 25 types of orchids, and numerous varieties of trees, many of which are said to have therapeutic properties.

The Rudraksha Tree (Elaeocarpus ganitrus), considered holy by Hindus, is widely available here. Also, there are pines, rhododendrons, and ka phal (Myrica esculenta) trees. The highly poisonous Lily Cobra Plant is another special attraction in this forest. Wildlife sightings are rare, but the forest is said to be inhabited by toads, foxes, snakes, wild cats, and several bird species. The forest also has both poisonous and non-poisonous varieties of mushrooms.

Offbeat and Unexplored places in Meghalaya

Many places in Meghalaya are unexplored and offbeat. Here are a few names, but the list is much more. Soon will come up with a detailed write-up to cover especially “Offbeat and Unexplored Places in Meghalaya”.

The Places must visit

• Mawlyngot, a beautiful village with green tea gardens.
• Mawlyngbna, situated amidst the forest. Best place for Camping.
• Kongthong, Situated between two famous ridges. Adventurers Paradise.
• Umden, famous for eri-Silk production.
• Nongkhnum Island, an island with clear river waters, is serene. Best place for camping island.
• Tura, Garo Hills, Tura is the Second most important city in Meghalaya after Shillong. Located in the Garo hills, Tura offers great eco-tourism options and the wildlife sanctuaries in this area have interesting wildlife. Siju Caves, one of the longest cave systems in India, also lies close to Tura.

Know the People of Meghalaya

Khasi, Pnar aka Jaintia, and Garo are the main inhabitant of the state. The Khasis are in majority at the Khasi hills of central Meghalaya, the Jaintias occupy the Jaintia hills of the eastern part area of the state, while the Garos are from the western Garo Hills.

Presently, most of the tribes practice Christianity, but still, they follow their age-old customs and traditions. All three predominantly follow a matrilineal system, where lineage and inheritance are passed through women of a family. The people of this state like music and its influences can be witnessed in numerous rock bands. Every tribal loves nature from the core of his heart. They know how to maintain harmony between nature and human life. Root Bridges and the Cleanest Village of Asia are the perfect examples in support of that.

Economy of Meghalaya

Agriculture is the major economic activity of the state. Rice, Millet, Corn (maize), Potatoes, Pepper, Chilies, Spices, Cotton, Ginger, Jute, Betel nuts, Fruits (including oranges and mangoes), and Vegetables are the main crops here. Communal land ownership is most common in the state.

After Agriculture the second most important economic activity is mining. Meghalaya has abundant but untapped natural resources of coal, limestone, kaolin, feldspar, quartz, mica, gypsum, bauxite, and other minerals. The world’s best-quality sillimanite deposits (a source of high-grade ceramic clay) are found in this state. Almost 100% of India’s sillimanite output is mined from the Mines of Meghalaya. Several hydroelectric power plants are available in the state. Due to the mountainous land, Meghalaya has no heavy industries. Out of small-scale industries cement, plywood, and foodstuffs are the major products manufactured here.

Recently the State jointly with the Central Government is trying to promote tourism in Meghalaya. Undoubtedly the State has tremendous opportunity for developing it into a perfect Tourism destination. 76% of the State’s Geographical Area is covered by the Forest. The greater part of the state remains unexplored. Truly Traveling to Meghalaya is a lifetime experience.

MEGHALAYA is indeed a place halfway between Heaven and Earth. If you feel like knowing the History of this WONDERFUL place then may read our blog MEGHALAYA …. a place halfway between Heaven and Earth