Meghalaya: The Abode of Clouds in Northeast India

It's located in the far northeastern region of India, and it is indeed picture-perfect to look at rolling hills and misty landscapes-a place that receives full-on rainfalls throughout the year and is rich in culture. The word Meghalaya itself translates as "Abode of Clouds" and is pretty easy to see why. The misty veils generally throw a soft cover over the state and give it an elusive atmosphere, so it attracts nature lovers, adventurers, and peace-seeking souls. And with its marvelous waterfalls and caves as well as other strong cultural facets, Meghalaya was yet another destination that somehow touched the heart.

In this blog, we dive into everything you'd like to know about Meghalaya-from its geography, languages, must-see places-all the way to getting there, where to stay, and some interesting facts you might not know!

 Geography of Meghalaya

Meghalaya is pretty high in popularity for its great scenic beauty, with characteristics like green hills and forests, rivers, and even waterfalls. The state falls in the northeastern part of India; its boundary is bounded by Assam to the north and to the east, and Bangladesh is south of it.

Hill Country: The state lies in the Shillong Plateau, an undulating landscape that essentially is formed by dense hills and valleys. Hills under question form only a small portion of much larger Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo ranges, thus making the entire state a paradise for the trekking aficionado.

Weather: 

Meghalaya is one wet state. Only a few places in the world are wetter than Cherrapunji and Mawsynram. The state falls under the purview of a monsoon climate with heavy rainfalls in the period from June to September. Winters from November to February are cool and pretty pleasant, so may be considered among the best times to visit.

Rivers, Lakes, and Waterfalls:

 Meghalaya is renowned for its crystal-clear rivers. Among the popular is the Umngot River at Dawki. Among the beautiful waterfalls in Meghalaya are Nohkalikai Falls and Seven Sisters Falls, which pour waters dropping into deep canyons covered with lush overgrowth.

Languages of Meghalaya

The state is very multilingual but has English as an official tongue, hence making it very easy for tourists to communicate. However, two major Indigenous languages are dominating the state Khasi and Garo.

Khasi

They belong to the central and eastern parts of the state in the case of the Khasi tribe.

Garo

The Garo tribe speaks in the Garo language and most head the western region of the state .

Other locals speak Jaintia, which is the local parlance for denizens of Jaintia Hills. Each of these languages spoken not only serves as a communication tool but has led the processes for discovering the excellence of culture and traditions alive among the inhabitants of Meghalaya .

Why Visit Meghalaya?

Meghalaya should be on your wish list if you are a nature, culture, or an adventure freak. Here's why and how it needs to feature in your tour list:

Natural Beauty

Rolling hills, dense forests, and dramatic waterfalls make Meghalaya one of the most beautiful states in India. Enough rains all along during the year ensure the state stays green all along.

Adventure and Ecotourism: 

Meghalaya is one of the prime tourist destinations for nature loving tourists, adventure seekers and also for ecotourists. Some of the most visited places are the state's famous living root bridges-the product of indigenous tribes who had creatively tamed nature for their benefits; several caves, rivers, and walking trails for adventure lovers.

The unique culture and traditions of their matrilineal society wherein the property and surnames are inherited from mother to daughter from generation to generation are some of the other fame that Meghalaya is basking in.

Top Places to Visit in Meghalaya

In misty mountains and crystal-clear rivers, you get everything to cherish your journey to Meghalaya:

Shillong

Charmingly called the "Scotland of the East," Shillong is actually the capital city of Meghalaya. Complete with colonial edifices, frenzied markets, and a music atmosphere that would leave your senses piquant, Shillong is both culturally and scenically rich. Catch a glimpse of the great city views of the place in Ward's Lake, Elephant Falls, and Shillong Peak. 

Mawlynnong:

 The place is so clean that it was given the tag of Asia's cleanest village. Mawlynnong enlightened how sustainability and cleanliness can be woven with common lifestyles. The plain views of Bangladesh are really eye-pleasing from this village also.

 Dawki: 

Among all such border towns on the Indo-Bangladesh border, one is pretty famous for the water of the Umngot River. The reason it is so is because the water is crystal clear and makes an impression as if boats float in the air. The boating experience of this river is surreal.

 Nongriat: 

The abode of some of the most celebrated living root bridges in Meghalaya. It's every trekker's dream destination, as these bridges, built by the Khasis from rubber tree roots, are still functioning.

Sohra or Cherrapunji: one of the wettest parts of the face of the Earth. All waterfalls and limestone cave lovers, this is your destination. Nohkalikai Falls is one of the highest plunge waterfalls in India.

How to Reach Meghalaya?

Meghalaya may be a far-off paradise, but it's surprisingly not all that hard to reach:

Air: 

The nearest airport to Shillong is Shillong Airport in Umroi, which is 30 kilometers from Shillong. It is not too well connected and is a small airport. One would wish to fly into the Guwahati Airport in Assam. This airport is well connected with all major cities of India and from Guwahati, one can take an hour three-road journey through scenic roads to Shillong.

Train: 

Meghalaya has no railway of its own. The nearest Major railway station is Guwahati, about 100km away from Shillong. You can hire a taxi, or else board a bus to Meghalaya from there.

By Road: 

Meghalaya is relatively well connected with the rest of the northeastern states through a road network. Buses and taxis are easily available from Guwahati, and the drive to Shillong in itself is a treat, with spectacular sightings of the hills and the valleys.

Be it luxury, budget accommodation, or an experience that brings you closer to living like a native, here are options for every kind of traveler:

Hotels in Shillong:

 For those traveling to Shillong, one will be pleased to know that there's every kind of hotel. Luxury ones include Ri Kynjai, while economical ones include Hotel Polo Towers which can offer modern amenities and central locations, which make life easy to access the attractions of this beautiful city.

Homestay-

the other end is homestay. It can be pretty authentic to stay at a homestay. Here, at places like Mawlynnong and Nongriat, locals welcome guests with open arms to their homes wherein the visitor becomes aware of the lifestyle in Meghalaya.

Eco-Lodges: 

For all the eco-friendly nature lovers, you'd love to stay in one of the many eco-lodges. Most of them are located in wonderfully serene areas, deep inside the forests. So, if you are totally interested in nature and at the same time are worried about staying in an environment-friendly location, then Cherrapunji Holiday Resort is a destination for all eco-conscious travelers.

Interesting Details About Meghalaya

 Wettest Place on Earth: 

There is a tussle between Mawsynram and Cherrapunji to be recognized as the wettest place on earth since the former has been raining incessantly in the monsoons.

These Khasi and Garo tribes societies in Meghalaya are known to be matrilineal because here women are the heads holding property and family names.

India boasts some of the world's longest and also its most biodiverse caves. Two popular caves for exploration have been the Siju Cave and the Mawsmai Cave.

Conclusion

Actually, Meghalaya is a mystical destination where hand-in-hand, nature plays in tune with rich cultural traditions. Whether it is trekking through forests to see the living root bridges or boating through crystal rivers or just for the pleasure of the cool breeze in the hills of Shillong, Meghalaya has something for every kind of traveler. The state's special blend of adventure, serenity, and cultural richness is a must for anyone looking to explore India's northeast.

 Frequently Asked Questions about Meghalaya

1. What is the ideal time to visit Meghalaya?

 The ideal visit time is from October to March while the weather is pleasant and monsoons have been eliminated.

2. How many days are required to visit Meghalaya?

   A 5 to 7-day trip will be ideal to visit the prominent places in Meghalaya such as Shillong, Cherrapunji, and Mawlynnong.

3. Is Meghalaya safe to travel alone? 

Yes, very safe, even for women travelers alone, because the locals are friendly and helpful.

4. Do I need a permit to visit Meghalaya?

No permit is required from Indian tourists. Foreigners require registration with local authorities on arrival

5. What are the popular dishes in Meghalaya?

Meghalaya food. Simple yet flavorful, and staples feature rice, meat, and fish. Don't miss: local specialties like Jadoh (spiced rice with meat) and Dohneiiong (pork with black sesame seeds).