Cherrapunjee – Wettest place in the world

Table of contents :-

1. Shillong – Scotland of East India (Part – I)

2. Shillong – Scotland of East India (Part – II)

3. Cherrapunjee – Wettest place in the world

4. Guwahati – Gateway to North East
30.09.09 (Cherrapunjee – Wettest place in the world)

Woke up early in the morning, prepared breakfast & lunch to carry with us as there are very few options of restaurants on the way to Cherrapunjee.

We left for Cherrapunjee at 8.00 AM from Shillong.

Cherrapunjee is about 60 km from Shillong . It is a small town located on the southern edge of Khasi Hills. Cherrapunjee is locally and now officially known as ‘SOHRA’. 98% of the annual rainfall at Cherrapunjee is received in just eight months from March to October. November, December, January and February get nominal or no rainfall. Rains during these months are mostly caused by cyclonic depressions in the Bay of Bengal.

It is credited as being the wettest place on Earth. However, nearby Mawsynram has more rainfall nowadays.

The Shillong – Cherrapunji road is filled with beautiful picturesque scenery all around and some of the most wonderful twisties you’ll ever find, and moreover the road conditions are also very good. Bangladesh Border (Shiella) is about 30 km. from Thankharang park

Valley view point

Dainthlen fall 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.

Nohkalikan fall 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.

Nohsngithiang fall also known as seven sisiter fall , 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 is one of the beautiful site to visit in cherrapunjee. 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 breathtaking view of distant Sylhet Plains of neighbouring Bangladesh. The seven sister falls (Nohsngithiang fall) that we had visited earlier originated from this place itself.

Mawsman cave It is located close to the Nohsngithiang Falls. The entry point of Mawsmai Cave is located in the village of Mawsmai, which is situated near Cherrapunjee. The entry of Mawsmai Cave is located very close to the Mawsmai village. The vertical entry is very narrow. The interior of the cave at Mawsmai in Meghalaya consists of big halls. Each of these halls looks like an amphitheater. The cave is embedded in darkness. A torchlight or any other kind of light works wonders on the hidden beauties of this place: the interiors of the cave become illuminated and the stalagmites, stalactites and walls appear to reflect innumerable crystal colors. The only distinguishing point in all these halls is their varying shapes and sizes. Stalactite and stalagmite myriads lay scattered in the cave. The interior of the cave is quite spacious, which allows one to conveniently move about within the cave. The cave remains open for public viewing from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

Thankharang 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

Kynrem Falls The highest waterfall in Meghalaya, it cascades down in three stages from the top of the hill and overlooks the Thangkharang Park.

Khoh Ramhah / Pillar rock 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.

We reached Shillong back by 7.30 PM from Cherrapunjee.