The Beauty of Meghalaya

Northeast India is a dream destination for travelers. Seven Sister States and Sikkim. The Seven Sister states include Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. All the eight states are beautiful in their rights, diverse and beautiful without the hustle-bustle of crowd and fewer honks than the rest of India. Among all of them, Beauty of Meghalaya is known because of its nature. The place is a synonym to the beauty of heaven. The Abode of Clouds – Meghalaya, is truly a beautiful place where you can fill clouds. Meghalaya attractions as Scotland of the east. The place is truly for nature lovers’ delight with beautiful waterfalls, crystal clear pools, subtropical forests and caves. Meghalaya has a tropical climate. With Purvi Discovery you can cover, all the major attractions Maghalaya of beautiful nature.

Explore Meghalaya Beauty

The best time to visit is the winter months from October to March. But if you want to see the waterfalls in their full glory, you can visit this place during the rainy season. Meghalaya  is widely known for its rainfall and rock music scene at Cherapunjee and Shilong, charrapunjee was said to be the wettest place on earth before Mawsynram took over. Naturally, the place is incredible during the monsoons. The best thing to do to enjoy Meghalaya Beauty is to visit Cherrapunjee’s waterfall hopping, although Mawlynnog is becoming an increasing tourist attraction for youngsters. Our tour schedule includes a short drive from the city to shilling to the nearby forests. Meghalaya is just the place for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

The place is also known for its caves. It is believed that it has more than a thousand explored and unexplored caves. The most beautiful caves are Siju, Mawmluh, Liat Prah and Mawsmai. you can explore the few attractive caves. Apart from nature, the local tribal festivals are also a major tourist attraction. We Purvi discovery suggests you attend the Wangala festival. People of Meghalaya are also unique in their own tradition and culture-The the state is the home for the three indigenous tribes – Khasi, Garo and Jaintia and these people live in perfect harmony with nature.

Meghalaya is just the place for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

• Destination
• Meghalaya

Meghalaya 21st state of the Indian union was declared a full-fledged State on 21st January, 1972. It is situated in the north-eastern region of India, between the Brahmaputra valley in the north and Bangladesh in the south. The name itself means “the abode of clouds” in Sanskrit. Mawsynrum and Sohra (Cherrapunjee) justified the significance of the name of Meghalaya (Megh means cloud and Alay means abode or dwelling place). Once it was the wettest place on the earth.  Meghalaya with an area of approximately 22,430 square kilometres is the homeland two major ethnic groups, the Hynniewtrep (Khasis and Jaintias) and the Achiks (Garos). English is the official language of Meghalaya. The other principal languages spoken include Khasi, Pnar and Garo.

Meghalaya Tour  and Holiday Packages

The beautiful Meghalaya in the northeast of India is gifted ordinarily. It is perfect for travelers of various types of nature lovers just as adventurers. In our best Meghalaya Tour Packages, we mean to bring the best of this ‘place that is known for clouds’. This includes journeys to various areas in the state like shillong, Cherrapunjee, Mausmai caves. Being significantly secured by lavish green forests, the state has its star attractions settled in the midst of regular environment. You can enjoy Meghalaya Holiday Packages with the wonderfulness of the skyline from a delightful treehouse that has been made 60 feet high on the parts of the tallest tree in the whole woodland. The treehouse offers a remarkable confrontation, and on a multi-day with a clear sky.

nearest air and train link. 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.

Places within Shillong are :

Lady Hydari Park : A popular spot both with locals and tourist, it is located in the heart of the city with an abundance of plants and flowers. The best months to see the flowers in bloon are April and October.

The Ward’s Lake : is an important tourist site of Shillong. It is a horseshoe-shaped artificial lake lying beneath the Raj Bhavan (Governor’s Residence) and the Accountant General’s (AG) Office, with little isles and a bridge over it. The lake abounds in fish (grass carps) and feeding the fish from the bridge is a favorite pastime of the tourists. It is said that a Khasi prisoner, who requested for any kind of work to get him out of his cell, initiated its construction. The lake has a charming winding walk-a-way in the midst of rolling flowerbeds and fairyland lighting with gradually undulating grounds, hemmed in by lush greens. Boats are also available, while the cafeteria provides refreshments.

Cathedral Catholic Church : In the heart of the city, there stands a beautiful cathedral of Roman Catholics dedicated to Mary Help of Christian.

Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum : For those interested in ethnic tribal culture and tradition this Govt. Museum under the control of Art and Culture Department offers insights to the lifestyle of the people. This museum is in the State Central Library complex where monuments for the great patriots of the state had been erected besides the statue of Smt. Indira Gandhi and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures (DBCIC) : A three-in-one Institution combining a museum with a research and publication centre, for promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of North East India -a unique fusion of all the sister states under one roof. DBCIC 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. It is frequented by school students and older research students and anthropologists, since this area of India is an anthropologist’s paradise.

Golf Course : 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 at an altitude of 5200 ft in 1898 as a 9 (nine) hole course and later converted into a 18 (eighteen) hole course in 1924 by Captain Jackson and C. K. Rhodes.

Spread Eagle Falls : Located within the Shillong Cantonment, on the outskirts of the city, lies a sparkling waterfall which looks like an eagle with wings spread. Hence the name Spread Eagle Falls. The falls is locally known as Umkaliar or the falls into which Ka Liar slipped. A soothing setting amidst the calmness of nature – a treat to the eyes.

Sweet Falls : Situated near Happy Valley at a distance of about eight kilometres from Shillong. It resembles a straight pencil of water emerging from a large size water pipe, as it drops vertically over a distance exceeding two hundred feet. Most suitable for a day’s outing and picnic, Explore it!

Elephant Falls : 12 kms on the outskirts of the city the mountain stream descends through two successive falls set in dells of fern-covered rocks. At a short distance beyond the falls, there are two smaller falls which are none the less beautiful and captivating. These are the Wei Iaplam Falls and the Wir Phang Falls. A well paved footpath and a small wooden bridge facilitate access to these falls.

Shillong Peak : The 1960 metres high, Shillong Peak, 10 Km from the city is another fantastic tourist spot. The peak has a very important legend as it is generally believed to be the abode of a powerful deity known as ‘U LEI SHYLLONG’ meaning Shyllong God. It is said that ‘U LEI SHYLLONG’ was responsible for the creation and the origin of the Khyrim and Mylliem Syiemship. The Peak gives a magnificent view of the spreading township below.

Entomological Museum (Butterfly Museum) a privately owned museum in Shillong is the only known museum in India devoted to moths and butterflies. The Butterfly Museum is worth visiting as it has an excellent collection of the winged beauties, many of which are facing extinction. The tiny museum is based in the home of Mr. Wankhar who has being running a breeding farm in the Khasi Hills and shipping eggs and cocoons all over the world.

Iew Duh (Bara Bazar) is situated in the heart of Shillong town,’ Iew Duh’ is a wonderful bazar for 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. Iew Duh is one of the few places where one can taste a variety of Khasi and Jaintia delicacies.

Smit : Just 17 Kms South of Shillong is the traditional seat of Khasi culture. The Nongkrem dance, is performed in Smit during November. Close by in Nongkrem village there is one traditional house owned by the Lyngdoh, which is 100 years old.

Cherrapunjee is 56 kms from Shillong and is literally the high point of any visit to Meghalaya-one of those ultimate eco-friendly destinations-a place renowned all over the world 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 creates in Sohra 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 the right turn from the road junction, one comes across a beautiful bridge known to the locals as the Duwan Singh Syiem Bridge, that 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 can stop a while and enjoy the spectacular natural beauty.

Dain-Thlen Falls : Just before reaching Sohra, a road to the right, leads one to the falls which is 5 kms away. 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 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, reminding one of the tragic legend associated with it, of a grief stricken mother who plunged to her death, unable to overcome her sorrow over the murder of her daughter by her husband.

Mawmluh Cave : Access to the 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 portion in certain areas have caved in due to the intensive quarrying of limestone above the cave. The river enters the cave and forms pools of water within the cave. This cave stretches for about 4,500 meters but is marred by pollution 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 : 6 kms from the Sohra market to the south lies the village of Mawsmai in the di­rection of Bangladesh border. At the village crossing, one passes grasslands surrounded by for­ests, ending in a clearing. 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 also known as Mawsmai falls, is 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 get illuminated by the sun from dawn to sunset. The vibrant colours of the setting sun on the waterfalls make it beautiful to behold.

Eco Park : A large “Eco Park” established by the Meghalaya government in the plateau, which hosts several hybrid and indigenous orchids in the Green House donated by Shillong Agri-Horticultural Society. Also the Eco Park offers a breathtaking view of the distant Sylhet Plains of neighbouring Bangladesh.

Thangkharang Park : Managed and well maintained by the State Forest Department, this park on Mawsmai – Shella Road – about 8 kms from Sohra is a popular tourist spot. 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.

Thangkarang Park laid on the high rocky cliffs overlooks the plains of Bangladesh. You can spot the imposing Kynrem falls cascading down majestically in three stages. The bird sanctuary at 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.

Mawalynong village:

Mawlynnong Village has earned the distinction of being the cleanest village in India. It is situated 90 kms. from Shillong and besides the picturesque village, offers many interesting sights such as the Living Root Bridge and another strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing on another rather smaller rock.

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 Mawlynnong. Keeping the surrounding environment clean is an age old tradition. Discover India magazine declared the village as the cleanest in Asia in 2003.

A dustbin made out of bamboo is found all along the village. Everyone makes it a point that dirt and waste are not thrown everywhere. 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.

Mawlynnong’s fame is now drawing an endless stream of guests from across the country and abroad. Although residential facilities are still scarce and are in the process of being developed, the existing one constructed from bamboo and thatch is quite hospitable and restful. Mawlynnong is an artist’s delight and the sort of getaway that would titillate creative writers and poets.

Mausami caves;

6 kms from the Sohra market to the south lies the village of Mawsmai in the di­rection of Bangladesh border. At the village crossing, one passes grasslands surrounded by for­ests, ending in a clearing. 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.

Living Roots Bridges:

15 Kms further from Sohra (Cherrapunjee) there is a holiday resort run by a private party. The resort offers visitors treks around the picturesque hills, spring bath, the thrills of caving and many other forms of excitement. Close to the resort there is the living root bridge across a torrential stream, that any visitor would love to see.

In the adjacent village of Nongriat two such living bridges have been created by weaving and inter-twine roots of the same banyan tree. It has come to be referred to as Jingkieng Nongriat or more commonly Double Decker

Mawphlang Sacred Forest:

Just 28 kms away from Shillong is Mawphlang Sacred Forest, one of Meghalaya’s most celebrated sacred forests, as the world over, 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 branch should be broken or else a curse may befall on that 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.

Mawsynram:

Mawsynram is a small village in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya state in north-eastern India, 56 kilometres from 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 and for all 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 wherein they take pleasure in the steep, sliding slopes, the fresh air, the rolling green mountains and the deafening but 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 due to dripping of mineralized solutions and deposition of calcium carbonate, it has thus given rise to some magnificent stalagmites. These stalagmites are not only important and of great interest for geological research but also 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.

Others places to visit :

Mawphlang Sacred Forest – Just 28 kms away from Shillong on the way to Mawsynrum is Mawphlang Sacred Forest, one of Meghalaya’s most celebrated sacred forests, as the world over, 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 branch should be broken or else a curse may befall on that 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.