Shilong
Hill Station
Where the clouds kiss the sun
Land of pines and firs, a third of the state of Meghalaya
is forest land. The people belong to the Khasi, Jaintia
and Garo hill-tribes, each as attractive as the other.
A cheerful, music-loving people, there faces and zest
for life add to the charm of the region.
Shillong, the capital, is often referred to as the "Scotland
of the East", in view of the similarity of the
terrain. Situated at a height of 1500 meters, it is
a beautiful hill resort set amidst hill and valleys,
running books and waterfalls. The pride of Shillong
is its 18-hole golf course and popular tournaments.
Meghalaya is literally the 'abode of clouds' and Cherrapunji,
the world's wettest spot, can be visited on an excursion
from Shillong.
WHAT TO SEE
» Ward Lake for boating.
» Lady Hydari Park, gardens and waterfalls
(Elephant Falls and others).
» Bara Bazaar. Crowds of tribal people in
there traditional dresses can be seen here.
» Shillong Peak, 1960 meters high is revered
as the 'abode of the gods'.
» Shillong Golf Course, one of the best
in the region.
» Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya State
Museums.
EXCURSIONS
» Cherrapunji (56 km.), at the altitude
of 1300 meters is the wettest place in the world receiving
1140 cm. (450 ins.) of rainfall.
» Mawphlang (24 km.), rich in botanic wealth,
especially orchids.
» Jakrem Hot Spring (64 km.). Jowai (64
km.) in the Jaintia Hills with excursions beyond to
Thadlaskein Lake, Nartiang Garampani etc.
» Guwahati (104 km.), the gateway to Assam
and the state of the north-east. It is a city surrounded
by hills. Once the ancient city of Pragjyotishpur, "the
light of the east", it is an important place of
pilgrimage.
» Kaziranga Game Sanctuary (294 km.), home
of the one-horned rhino. All animals and birds here
can be seen from tree-houses.
SOME OTHER PLACES IN EASTERN REGION
» Kohima in Nagaland, where the Japanese
army was halted in their invasion of India. Famous for
its tribal culture and villages.
» Imphal, the ancient capital of Manipur,
rich in dance (of classical Manipuri style), colourful
festival, handlooms and handicrafts.
» Aizawl (in Mizoram), a hill station. Crisscrossed
with ridges and valley, Mizoram has great natural beauty.
» Agartala (in Tripura) and its environs,
rich in scenic beauty and old monuments.
FESTIVALS OF SPECIAL LOCAL INTEREST
» Shad-suk-Mynsiem (April). This "Dance
of the joyful" held at Shillong, is a time for
dancing and merry-making.
» Behdeinklam (June-July). It is a festival
of the farmer, but spreads goodwill to all. For four
days there is continuous music, dancing and revelry
(Held at Jowai 64).
» Nong Krem Dance (June-July), when sacrifices
are made to ancestors and to the deity. Dancers were
their dresses and jewellery.
» Wangala Harvest festival (November-December),
also known as the Dance of the Hundred Drums. Held in
the Garo Hill, 11 km. from Tura.
SPORTS
Golf Tournaments in the season.
Bull fight are held at Mawsynram, 56 km. from Shillong,
after the Bahdeinklam festival.
SHOPPING
The Jainsem (dress of the Khasi women) suitable for
the western wear, bamboo-work, rare butterflies pressed
in glasses, Chinese shoes, bamboo and rattan handicrafts
are some of the good buys.
