Meghalaya

There is no doubt that Meghalaya is one of our favourite places. Situated in the hills of the eastern sub-Himalayas, Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful states of India. In Sanskrit, Meghalaya translates into ‘abode of clouds’ and it is rightfully called so. Claimed to be one of the wettest places on the earth, Meghalaya sees the hide and seek played between the sun and rains. Surrounded by the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills, Meghalaya offers simple and unspoiled beauty to its visitors. The state boasts of incredible natural beauty, cascading waterfalls, sparkling clean rivers, natural caves and a colourful cultural heritage. From the gorgeous waterfalls of Cherrapunjee to the clear waters of Umngot, Meghalaya is literally a place halfway between heaven and earth. We love to visit Meghalaya over and over again and want you to visit the state also. Read on to know more about this place and how you can plan a perfect Meghalaya trip. Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Where is Meghalaya? Meghalaya is located in the northeastern part of India. Meghalaya was carved out of the state of Assam and shares its borders with Assam and Bangladesh in the west and south. Meghalaya Trip – Is it safe to visit Meghalaya? Meghalaya is perhaps one of the safest states that we have visited. The people are friendly and will always be ready to help you. Meghalaya is also one of the safest places for women to travel. Being a matrilineal society, crimes against wome...

Meghalaya, meaning the “abode of clouds” is a paradise for nature lovers. A hill station that is home to a beautiful, mesmerizing sky in a true sense has captivated the minds of tourists all across the globe. It is perfectly nestled in the northeast of India in the Himalayas. The erstwhile state of Assam spread over an area of 22, 429 square kilometers, and lies between 20.1° N and 26.5° N latitude and 85.49 °E and 92.52 °E longitudes. It is bordered to Assam to the north and east and meets Bangladesh to its south and east side.The state filled with huge hills, valleys, numerous lakes, captivating waterfalls, pitch dark caves, and sacred forests; there is no dearth of tourist places in Meghalaya. You can expect panoramic views, foggy hills, terraced slopes, cascading waterfalls, and serpentine rivers mesmerizing yoursoul . Locals here are inhabited by three tribes mainly-Khasi, Pnar and Garo, and are very friendly. English is the official language of the State so international travelers don’t have to worry. Couples can take a romantic trip enjoying the pleasant climate, friends and families can relax in the lap of nature in cities like Shillong, and adventure enthusiasts can take up the challenge of trekking through the difficult terrains of Meghalaya. Shillong, Tura, Jowai, Cherrapunjee, Nongpoh, Baghmara are some of the famous tourist destinations in Meghalaya. To be more specific Wards Lake, Lady Hydari Park, Sweet Falls, the Butterfly Museum, Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai ...

Geography of India Land Relief and drainage Meghalaya is an upland area formed by a detached block of the Umiam-Barapani, which is the major source of Climate The climate of Meghalaya is generally mild. In August the mean temperature at Shillong (in the Khasi Hills) is in the low 70s F (about 21–23 °C); it falls to the upper 40s F (about 8–10 °C) in January. One of the world’s wettest regions is found in Meghalaya— Mawsynram, a village directly west of Cherrapunji, where rainfall totals of some 700 inches [17,800 mm] per year have been recorded.) Annual rainfall in Shillong, only about 50 miles (80 km) from Cherrapunji, is about 90 inches (2,290 mm). During the winter months (December to February), the climate is relatively dry. Plant and animal life Meghalaya is blanketed in lush forests, and pines, sals, and bamboo are plentiful. Other species include oak, birch, beech, and magnolia. Elephants, tigers, leopards, Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. People Most of the inhabitants of Meghalaya are Tibeto-Burman ( Garo along with Jaintia and English are the state’s official languages; other languages spoken in the state include Pnar-Synteng, Nepali, and Haijong, as well as the plains languages of Bengali, Assamese, and Hindi. The population is predominantly rural, and few towns exist in the state. Shillong is the largest town; other urban centres, listed in Economy Agriculture Agriculture is the dominant economic activity of the state....

1 out of 20 Places to visit in Meghalaya 33 Tourist attractions A beautiful city encircled by pine trees, Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya. It derives its name from Lei Shyllong, an idol worshipped at the Shillong Peak. Standing as tall as 1496 meters, this hill station is known for its weather, picturesque locations and traditions. This place is also known ... Best Time: September to May 2 out of 20 Places to visit in Meghalaya Named after an Elephant like stoneat its foot, the Elephant Falls are amongst the most popular falls in the North-East, situated next to Shillong. It is a tourists' paradise with three layers of the falls accessible to the layman from different vantage points. The Britishers named this fall so... 3 out of 20 Places to visit in Meghalaya Umiam Lake, a mesmerizing man-made reservoir, is located at a distance of 15 kilometres north of Shillong which is the capital of the north-eastern Indian state of Meghalaya. The lake was formed after a dam was constructed to generate hydroelectric power. The scenic Umiam Lake is encircled by lush g... 4 out of 20 Places to visit in Meghalaya Hidden deep in the lush, green forests of the wettest place in India: Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya; one can find the magnificent Jingkieng Nongriat Double Decker Living Root Bridge; more commonly known as the Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge or simply just the Double Decker Root Bridge. Th... 5 out of 20 Places to visit in Meghalaya 16 Tourist attractions Earlier the we...

Meghalaya is one of the most visited destinations of northeast, because of the diversity of natural aesthetic bounty here. It is considered the hotspot of all things cultural and natural existing in sheer harmony with the constructive human efforts. To date, it remains one of those rare locations that can be visited all year round and still overcompensate every traveller's thirst for a fulfilling retreat. Here presented, are 12 places to visit in 1. Mawlynnong Village ( Mawlynnong Village ( The Mawlynnong Village in Asia's cleanest villageand is one of places the to visit in Meghalaya. It is hard to spot even a single piece of straw or dusty roads here. The roads seem to be freshly laid and the village stands out distinctively for housing some of the rarest natural wonders of north east, like the Mawlynnong waterfall, which is a sight to behold, pushing its way through lush vegetation and descending into clear waters below. The live root bridge here (Not to be confused with the Double Decker Bridge in archaeological travelers who come here. Travellers to this part of Mawlynnong Village as being one of their most serene and humbling choices for a retreat. 2. Laitlum Canyon ( Laitlum Canyon ( If you are a true trekker, then the Laitlum Canyon should make it to your bucket list of trekking expeditions in the northeast. The terrain is a bit difficult to manoeuvre but with the right tools and a firm grasp of the local guidelines, it is a trek worth taking. Easily completed in t...

What is the best time to visit Meghalaya? Often called the abode of clouds, the best time to visit Meghalaya is between October and June. Most tourist destinations in the state receive temperatures that rarely go beyond 30°C, making it a perfect escape between March and June which is the summer season in the country. It is also a favourite during autumn and winters, i.e. from October to November and December to February amongst tourists who come from high or moderate temperature zones. Considered the wettest region in the country, Meghalaya is not often recommended to tourists during peak monsoons. The state receives an average rainfall of 250 cm. The season begins in May and goes on till the end of September or sometimes till mid-October. One can, however, explore the beautiful state in the beginning or by the end of the monsoon season when the rains are not heavy and the terrain is mesmerisingly beautiful. Meghalayaexperiences temperature ranging between 12°C and 30°C, with pleasant mornings and evenings. It can be considered a good time to explore the unexplored corners of the town. Although it majorly rains during the monsoons, most of Meghalaya remains cloudy or pleasantly overcast. It is, therefore, an excellent time to explore the attractions in the state. It might get sweltering around afternoons, and tourists can skip or opt for an indoor activity to spend some quality time. One can also get to see the regional festivals during the season. The three-day festival o...

When it comes to Indian places that boast picturesque landscapes with lush valleys, glorious history and diverse culture, northeastern Indian states often tend to escape the notice of travel enthusiasts. Meghalaya is one such state that deserves a place on every traveler’s bucket list. Meghalaya is well-known for its rich culture and traditions, mouth-watering delicacies, historical sites, hospitable locals, and more! Contrary to popular Indian destinations such as Goa, Manali, Mumbai, etc. Meghalaya does not attract much crowd during peak tourism season and is, therefore, the best place to visit when you want to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Dive in to learn more about everything Meghalaya has to offer! Table of Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Why Should You Visit Meghalaya? Northeast India consists of eight unique states – Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, and Meghalaya. These states are often referred to as the “Eight Sisters” and are well-revered across the globe for their distinctive culture, traditions, food, and history. Meghalaya borders the beautiful state of Assam in the north and northeast and is bordered by Bangladesh in the south and southwest. Popularly known as the “Scotland of East”, Meghalaya’s capital is Shillong. This state tends to boast relatively good weather throughout the year and is home to Cherrapunji, one of the wettest regions in the world. Cherrapunji, along wit...