Meghalaya- Excursion to Home of Clouds

The abode of clouds, Meghalaya is a heaven on earth and one of the most beautiful states situated in the Northeast of India. A beautiful land that serves its tourists with plenty of rainfall, peaceful sunrises and heart throbbing sunsets, virgin forests, crystal clear rivers and bountiful waterfalls. Meghalaya is a land of rich ancient culture and huge population resides here. Meghalaya is rightfully claimed to be the wettest place on this planet as it experiences the maximum amount of rainfall throughout the year. All these nature’s offerings are best to be explored on these top 4 hill stations of Meghalaya.

Tourist Attractions in Meghalaya

Tura or Siju Cave

For cave researchers, this cave is a source of perceiving natural phenomenon since the 20th century.
This cave was the first amongst natural cave to be in the limelight.
It is also named the bat cave because of the plenty of nocturnal mammals residing in this cave.
It is the longest cave and is named after the princess and is the basis for water bodies.
Tourist wonder and get mesmerized by the natural beauty of this cave.

Mawlynnong Village

The small village in Khasi Hills is well known as the ‘God’s own garden’.
It awarded as the cleanest village, all around India.
It has won the award for the cleanest village in Asia.
It is situated around 90 km from Shillong and is a network-based eco-tourism activity.
The people have endeavored to keep up the title of the perfect village. The town offers pleasant trek to the root bridge at Riwai.
The “Neighbors envy, owners pride’ is well-versed for Mawlynnong because of the reality that each Mawlynnong villager is proud of and different villagers are jealous of.
The town is very pretty, particularly in the rainy season when there is greenery all around, with waterfalls ready to make little streams and plenty of blossoming orchids dangling from the trees add to the magnificence of the town.

Double Decker Bridge

The mesmerizing place at the time of monsoons in Cherapunjee.
It is known for its unique structures that are formed naturally and are visited by the travelers from all around the globe.
It is created by Khasi Tribe and the roots growing from rubber tree that is visible in the northeast area only.
Ummunoi bridge, Umkar bridge, Mawsaw bridge, Ritymmen bridge, are Umshiang bridge are some of the popular bridge of Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya.

Jowai

Situated in the Jaintia Hills, Jowai is acclaimed for its amazing scenic views.
Jowai is popular for its picturesque setting.
It is a rich blend of heritage and culture which reflects in the way of life there.
Lakes are the primary fascination of Jowai.
The Thadlaskein Lake and Lalong Park are the celebrated visitor’s most visited spots.
Syntu Ksiar on the shores of Myntdu River is claimed to be the tonic for weariness of body.

Laitlum Canyon(Shillong)

This place is a must in the expedition list of trekkers.
It requires appropriate tools and guidelines for safety concerns.
It takes 4-5 hours to complete trekking and it is worth because the scenic view from the top is a heart throbbing.
Multiple shades of sun varying from brown to red with never-ending stretch on all sides are astonishing.
To get rid of the tiredness of this trekking must visit the Lwai falls in Meghalaya.

Famous Food in Meghalaya

Nakham Bitchi

It is a soup recipe consumed before taking meals. Nakham is a dry fish that is either dried in sun or on the fire. It is further fried and then boiled to make rich soup. It is flavored with pepper and chilies to make it mouth-watery that makes it suitable for weather of Meghalaya.

Tungrymbai

A fish dish that is made from black sesame, fermented soybeans, onion, ginger and using other spices. These are sauteed together to give a great flavor and look to the dish. Delicious and mouth-watery dish is what you dream of having an everyday morning?

Minil Songa

A delicious dish famous among Garo Tribe and is a preparation of sticky rice that has a delicate texture and nutty flavor. The starch amount in this dish makes it highly sticky. Using bamboo, minil rice is boiled and it is also good for digestion.

Sakin Gata

A sweet delicacy, white and sticky rice cake part of the Meghalayan cuisine. The rice is soaked overnight with sugar added in it. It is steamed in alternate layers of sesame seeds arranged on banana leaves and then cooked in a pot. A homemade delicious dish that is served hot and simple.

Jadoh

A popular dish and appetizing because of its unique color. The dish is all about red rice cooked in a large amount of meat or with fish or chicken. It is flavored with onions, gingers, green chilies, bay leaves and many more. For adventure-seeking people and pork lovers, Jadoh is also cooked in beef blood, so it must not be missed.

Festivals of Meghalaya

Bacardi NH7 Weekender

Shillong, capital of Meghalaya is named as Rock Capital because of the musical diversity in the city. The most awaited event eagerly awaited by music freaks of the state and tourists as well. The hospitality of people and the beauty of this place makes this festival joyous. Stalls for drinks and local cuisine are prepared. This festival is mandatory to be visited by music fans from all around the world.

Shad Suk Mynsiem

The festival of rituals and dance is celebrated with great joy in the month of April. Rituals are performed by Khasi state or individual tribes. This dance form depicts the patrilineal and matrilineal of the society of Khasi. People of Meghalaya perform this dance form at Shillong and many other places. It signifies that man is a defender of a woman’s dignity.

Behdeinkhlam Festival

The festival celebrated in the month of July by followers of Niamtre religion and Jaintia people. Behdeinkhlam stands for ‘Chasing away plague’. The tourist from all around the world visits Meghalaya to cherish this colorful and blissful festival.

Things to Buy From Shillong, Meghalaya

Scottish Clothes

The classy and fashionable attire comprising jackets, shirts, and shrugs. Scottish checks help you be safe and wearing a sweater is no trouble, if you live in down plains. Hanumanbux is a well-known shop in Police Bazaar that sells out Manipuri Lungis and great choice in Scottish Checks.

Shawls and Stoles

Shillong market is full of wide variety in warm clothes because of cold weather. You can find a selection of Manipuri and Naga shawls imbued with indigenous ideas. The Nagaland and Meghalaya in local people wear these shawls. These shawls can offer a bunch of compliments outside Meghalaya or northeast. In Shillong, colorful lungis and stitched into skirts, kurtas, and shirts, that makes it quite fashionable.

Organic Products

Meghalaya holds natural treasures that offer organic products, be it handmade soaps or honey-based beauty products. Go for jellies and jams made of peaches and pineapple. They are retailed by shops in Bara Bazaar, Police Bazaar and sold by MEG, cottage industry.

Culture of Meghalaya

Meghalaya has a rich tribal heritage and dance is the most important part of their culture amongst the Khasi community. The dance depicts the life cycle of a village and varies with regional taste but depict a collective culture.

The festivals celebrated in Meghalaya are Shad Beh Sier, Ka-Shad-Kynjoh Khaskain, Ka-Shad Shyngwiang-Thangiap, Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem and Ka Pom-Blang Nongkrem. People in Meghalaya believe that festivals are the significance of good spirit and unity among the population and are for balancing the man, natural environment, and culture.

Facts and Figures About Meghalaya

The state in north east region is considered to be the youngest state of India.
Meghalaya was formed on 21^st January, 1972 including districts like Garo Hills, Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills.
Meghalaya stands for “Abode of Clouds”.
Most of the people in Meghalaya are tribal and the largest community is the Khasi tribe.
The languages spoken in Meghalaya are English, Garo and Khasi.
The beautiful state is famous as the “Scotland of the East”.
The ancient cave, Jaintia Hills is more than 22km long that connects two caves.
Meghalaya is sharing an international boundary with Bangladesh.

Facts About Government of Meghalaya

Chief Minister- Mukul Sangma
Capital- Shillong
Chief Justice of High Court- Dinesh Maheshwari
Governor- Banwarilal Purohit

Facts About State Symbols

Languages- English, Bengali, khasi, Garo
State Animal- Clouded Leopard
State Flower- Slipper Orchid
State Bird- Hill Myna
State Tree- Gamhar
Major Crops- Cotton, Orange, Potato, Pineapple
Famous Personalities of Meghalaya are Manas Chaudhuri, Tipriti Kharbangar, Arundhati Roy, Rudy Wallang, James Michael Lyngdoh.
Rivers in Meghalaya are Darming, Bugi, Manda, Ringge, Simsang, and Gamol.
National Parks in Meghalaya are Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Siju Bird Sanctuary, Nongkhyllem wildlife sanctuary, Balpakram National Park.

How to Reach Meghalaya

By road – The roads going to Meghalaya are smooth and easily accessible. It is suggested to avoid a road trip to Meghalaya in monsoon as the roads are wet and the traffic slows down.
By train – Guwahati in Assam is the nearest railway station to Meghalaya, which is at a distance of 180 km. You can hire a cab or buses to reach Meghalaya from Guwahati.
By air – Nearest Airport to Meghalaya is Guwahati that lies 159 km away. The airport is connected with the major cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Delhi. It is also connected with cities of Bangkok and Tura. Hiring cabs are the best option to reach Meghalaya from there.