Meghalaya

Home to one of the wettest places on earth Cherrapunji that experiences record rainfall, the state of Meghalaya is aptly named as the abode of clouds. There is a good road network connecting Meghalaya to other cities of India and within the state. Shillong is the capital city reachable by a scenic road drive from Guwahati. Set amidst gently rolling hills surrounded by pines, Shillong was a favourite holiday resort during the days of the British.
The picturesque Barapani Lake, Wards Lake surrounded by pine groves, Lady Hydari Park, miniature zoo, a cathedral, waterfalls and mountain peaks are all worth paying a visit in this city.
There are spectacular limestone caves at Siju in Garo Hills and one of many groups of Megaliths in the state at Mawsynram. Meghalaya offers many outdoor activities for the adventurer and explorer as well as the leisure seeker in you. There is boating on Barapani or Umiam Lake and Wards Lake, Angling at Kynshi, Umngot, Umtrew and Simsang River, Exploring limestone caves, cave temples and megaliths at Jowai and Naritiang, Golfing in Shillong and some amazing trekking trails. For water sports enthusiasts, on offer are skiing, sailing, water scooter rides, kayaking and speedboats at the Water sports complex, Thadlaskein Lake and Umiam Lake.
Best Time to visit: Anytime of the year barring the monsoon season
Languages Spoken: Khasi, Garo, English
Climate: There are only two seasons in Meghalaya winter and monsoon. There is heavy rainfall during monsoon months (June to October) and winters are cool and pleasant.
Natural Wonders: Limestone caves at Siju in Garo Hills, Limestone caves and cave temples of Jowai, Megaliths at Naritiang and Mawsynram, Caves such as Krem Umlawan, Krem Kotsati, Krem Lashinng and Krem Umshangktat at Jayantia Hills
Activities: Golfing in Shillong, Boating on Umiam Lake and Wards Lake, angling at Kynshi, Umngot, Umtrew and Simsang River
Trekking: Weiloi Umngi, Weiloi Ponkung, Ponkung Umngi, Smit trek, Mawlyngot trek and Pynursla trek.
Water Sports: Skiing, sailing, water scooter rides, kayaking and speedboats at the Water sports complex, Thadlaskein Lake and Umiam Lake.

Rise Above the Clouds – Cherrapunjee

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Ever saw the clouds above and wonder where do they come from and how it would be to rise above them? You must pay a visit to Cherrapunjee, the place we knew as the wettest place on earth. (It may no longer be the wettest one but it can do wonders for you if you are looking for a quiet and adventurous gateway but still not in the mood of suddenly discovering your next door neighbor vacationing in the same spot). We just came back and I thought I better write it down and pay the place its due it truly deserves.

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Ethereal North East: Trip to Guwahati, Shillong and Cherrapunji

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We woke up early next morning as per our itinerary with excitement to experience some of the grandest waterfalls of the region. We started by witnessing the famous Elephant Falls in Shillong, The falls which is locally called “Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew” or three step falls, was coined “Elephant falls” by the British due to the rock on the left side that resembled an elephant.

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मेघालय – शिलोंग , स्कॉटलैंड ऑफ़ दी ईस्ट

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जब हमने सुना कि एशिया का सबसे स्वच्छ गांव का पुरस्कार भारत के एक गांव ने जीता है और वो मेघालय में है तो मैंने इसे अपने प्लान में शामिल किया । लीविंग रूट ब्रिज देखने के बाद हम इस इस गांव में पहुंचे जो कि लीविंग रूट ब्रिज वाले गांव से 2 किमी दूर स्थित है।गाँव को साफ़ कैसे रख पाते है जबकि सैलानी आते जाते रहते है रोज़ खूब सारे।

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A trip to Shillong, Meghalaya

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Later when I Googled, I found that it is indeed a reservoir and an artificial lake and was created by damming the Umium river and covers about 220 square km. This is first hydro-power project in this part of the country. Barapani is a major tourist attraction. Plenty of photos are available on the web.

We reached Shillong late afternoon. I was very excited, keen to find Shillong of my dreams: hills, fern, orchid and low cloud. Unfortunately, the sights and sound of the city did not match my imagination.

We drove past the crowded Police Bazaar area, the assembly and the polo ground and reached a quieter part of the town called Upper Lamthumai. Our hotel, Roseville Hotel, is located there.

Roseville Guest House: The hotel, more like a home stay, has cottages for guests and a well maintained garden. I identified Pine and Birch trees and some flowers. It has an old world charm. The property is famous for beautiful rooms and heritage rooms and was earlier managed by ITC Welcom. The tariff: Rs 3,000+25% tax per day.

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Shillong, Meghalaya – the abode in the clouds

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We were told by the locals that surprisingly in Cherrapunji it rains mostly at night. Thus, the day-to-day activity is not really disrupted by the rain. 
However, the irony is that despite perennial rainfall, Cherrapunji faces an acute shortage of drinking water, and the inhabitants often have to trek for miles to obtain potable water.

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