MEGHALAYA : THE ABODE OF CLOUDS
MEGHALAYA
I always had a sense of fascination for
North-eastern states of our country. The culture, food, people and their
warmth, the hospitality and not to forget the breathtaking nature and
sceneries. Sometimes I feel they truly represent what our country is supposed
to be like. Well ! that’s a whole another conversation.
I had been eyeing on visiting Meghalaya since
the start of 2019 and was still doubtful of it due to the current situation,
but somehow managed to get the perfect opportunity after a hoard of struggles.
Before the departure, as per rules we had to
take a covid-19 test in order to even step out of the Guwahati Airport and the
results didn’t arrive until the next day of the trip. Not gonna lie, I never
felt this much stressed even for my exams. So we started to pack like crazy
people, literally grabbing anything that resembled a clothing. I still remember
my mother asking if this was how me and my homies would get ready during our
college days, and I proudly replied with a smirk ‘not even close’, reminiscing
the good times.
The flight journey was nothing short of amazing.
I was able to get a glimpse of snow covered mountains covered with camouflaging
white clouds. I could literally imagine from afar what it would feel like
standing on top of it. Thus started our journey to the land of clouds.
UMIAM LAKE
The very first place that we got to visit on our way to shillong. An artificial lake created by damming up the Umiam river, definitely one of the few things created by mankind worth mentioning. The surrounding was so calm and serene.
Sitting by the lake as you soak your feet in the crystal clear water; definitely a therapy.
The road travel to shillong was also a beautiful experience. Greenery on both sides of the road with a landscape view of the mountains, streets full of small but beautiful houses covered with flowers and bright smiles waving at us as we pass by, add to that a beautiful sunset, indeed a heartwarming welcome.
The evening was just as mesmerizing as the morning with glimmering lights of the mountains replacing the sunlight.
ELEPHANT FALLS
The first of the many waterfalls that we saw. Originally called ‘Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohshiew’ whose literal translation means ‘the 3-step waterfall’, the britishers renamed it to Elephant falls as one of the huge rocks resembled to that of an elephant that got destroyed in an earthquake, thereby adding to the list of numerous things that got a colonial makeover (or ruined).
Green algae peeking from the rocks, emerald green water, sound of waterfalls, semi-hollow caves, the whole place gave me rainforest vibes.
POLICE BAZAAR
The famous marketplace in Shillong. A perfect shopping destination for the tourists and heart of the city. Also one of the very few places where I observed the art of bargaining being done in a respectful manner.
Due to being in a hilly place the way you enter the streets of the marketplace is by either ascending/descending bunch of steps and few shortcuts that makes the experience even more adventurous.
In contrast, I found a lot of old shops selling exquisite artifacts and handicrafts.
If you want to experience what local life looks like here this is the place you are looking for, also for the amazing street food.
SOHRA VIEWPOINT
I remember this place as Sohra viewpoint but it has a lot of different names.
One of the breathtaking places on the way to Cherrapunji. This place will bless your eyes with stunning views of green diverse mountains, covered with a fog of clouds.
I could only see an array of tree covered mountains as far as my eyes could see. There is also an option available for ‘zip-lining’ just in case we wanted to feel the thrill of passing through the dense green forests. Definitely a treat for photography enthusiasts. Actually, the whole Meghalaya is.
NOH KA LIKAI FALLS
True to its glory, this in India’s largest waterfall which can be viewed only from far away.
Waterfalls always have a certain wild beauty to it. I often find a sense of mystery to it. Every time I come across any natural wonder, even admidst all the crowd and chaos, there is a mysterious silence to it.
The view of this waterfalls from the top truly made me wish there was a way to reach nearby to get an up-close look, but part of me was glad that it was away from the clutches of us humans, keeping the mystery alive.
The place surrounding this falls was equally captivating with beautiful meadows and chilly breeze.
WAH KABA FALLS
Another beautiful waterfalls. In order to reach nearby the falls, we needed to hike down through a long, uneven rocky path but once you reach the place, all the breathlessness and muscle pain was totally worth it.
Despite safety barriers being placed, watching the waterfalls fall from a rocky ledge while standing on the edge was a really scary experience. Really sent a little bit of chill down your spine.
The hike, on the other hand was even scarier but adventurous. As you walk by the uneven path, the clouds would rush through, touching your face which is a different kind of feel.
MAWSMAI CAVES
Meghalaya is a place of abundant caves along with waterfalls, most of which might be beyond our reach and knowledge. The Mawsmai caves is among those.
The open jaw like entrance of the cave was a thrilling welcome. Numerous small plants and leaves were sprouting from the rocks inside the caves. As soon as we went inside the cave, we could sense the sudden dip in temperature.
Once we were inside it was gloomy and dark to the point we could see nothing. The only thing helping us move along was faint dim lights here and there and the echoing and screaming voices of tourists which was honestly quite haunting. Narrow and slippery paths made us almost return half way back.
Despite being skeptical about going further, as if who will ever not be scared at the thought of getting stuck between two gigantic rock in the dark?!, eventually I convinced my mind that this probably the only age where I will be able to fit into this cave.
There were huge limestone formations inside the cave which dates easily back to thousands of years.
LIVING ROOT BRIDGE
This bridge is well enough to put most of the most modern constructions/ architectural marvels to shame. The bridge was made by the Khasi tribes to connect the villages separated by the heavy turbulent stream.
This natural bridge comprises of tree branches, twisting roots that ties the bridge and bamboo with some soil whick keeps the bridge intact.
Even though it is not advised to stand in the bridge for too long, I was quite convinced that it would have been able to bear an impressive load back in ancient times.
The stream of water flowing under the bridge adds more to the sceneric beauty to the place. The village situated nearby the bridge was just as beautiful and peaceful. All the eatables available in this place are made from stuff organically grown by the people of the village and it was obvious by the taste. Actually , for a fact, you will find abundant amount of pineapple, jackfruit and hibiscus in Meghalayaliterally in the side of roads.
The living root bridge really exhibits the intimate relationship of the tribal population with nature and the forest. In simple words, this is one of the legacies left by the country’s tribal population.
MAWLYNNONG VILLAGE
If Kerala is god’s own country, then this place is ‘god’s own garden’. Popular for its status as the ‘cleanest village of Asia’, cleanliness is this village’s utmost priority. The local residents, mostly tribals take great care of this place.
Every house and the streets are adorned with lush green plants and colorful flowers and hence don’t even need any sort of artificial decoration to look presentable. You wouldn’t catch even a single plastic product being utilized inside the village and hence they also insist the tourists to do so. Even the dustbins used here are made of bamboo.
The residents of this village clean this place by their own, segregate the garbage based on their biodegradability, and treat every single living being inside that village with utmost respect and care – making everyone from the civilized urban or the so called educated society dunk their heads in shame.
UMNGOT RIVER
Definitely one of the cleanest rivers of India as far as I have seen. This river flows through the India-Bangladesh border town called ‘Dawki’ straight towards Bangladesh.
This river is one of the huge tourist attractions of Meghalaya. When searching ‘Meghalaya’ in internet, you will come across countless pictures of boats floating over on crystal clear water, resembling that of a glass surface.
The boat ride in this river was one of the most beautiful experience of this journey. Even though sadly there were signs of plastic pollution and trash floating alongside in the beginning, as we moved forward, I started to feel the calmness around me, along with breathtaking views of the river in the midst of huge magnificent rocks. I could sense the sound of yelling, quarelling people slowly starting to fade away.
That silence was everything. It felt like finally I got something I had been longing for . Every second spent on that boat made me realize that I was actually ‘living’ that moment; feeling every breath you take; reminiscing every view as much as the eyes and brain could capture; hearing nothing but the sound water being cut through by the oar of the boat. That moment was something beyond my ability to express with words. The last time I remember being this much at peace was in Rishikesh and another beautiful boat ride in Pichavaram (Tamil Nadu). These are the kind of moments where you will automatically radiate with happiness and peace in your face without any explanation. Isn’t that what sometimes travelling is all about? !
As we went further, I could hear a sound of waterfalls. Less than a minute later, we saw an array of waterfalls falling from unparalleled rocks. This was the highlight of the ride as the boat was able to get near the falls as much as possible. That scene left us so awestruck that I forgot to close my gasping mouth for one good minute.
That whole evening spent at Dawki really had an effect on us. None of us spoke a word for the rest of the night.
Despite all the experience it offers, now the fate of this place and its people is in danger ever since there have been plans to construct a dam (hydro-electric power plant, to be specific) on the river.
The livelihood of this entire village and the surrounding villages depends upon this river and hence don’t but somehow the ones responsible don’t seem to acknowledge the voice and concerns of people fighting for its perseverance. This is not the first time nature is being compromised in the black and white game of crooked politics.
KRANG SHURI FALLS
Located in Jaintia hills, this place is blessed with visuals in every angle. The way reaching the waterfall was beautiful with narrow unparalleled path in midst of dense forest on both sides and a stream of water flowing in between.
The water was a shimmering blue color, more like a shade of copper sulphate blue with a tinch of emerald green. Rays of sunlight sparkling on the water with surrounding greenery made it look like an imaginary cinematic universe.
Krang Shuri is indeed nature’s wonderland that rejuvenates the soul. You have o be physically present there to see how amazing this place because not even high resolution pictures can do justice in defining the serenity of this place.
LAITLUM CANYONS
Situated at the edge of a cliff, this place showcased a complete unique beauty of Meghalaya. The word ‘Laitlum’ literally translated to ‘end of hills’, being true to its name. The hills over which this canyon lies shows a jaw dropping edge that was enough to make our breathing rate even faster. But that edge makes this place even more breathtaking and thrilling.
The view here consists of hills with bright green grasslands covered in mist with fainted sunlight peeking through the clouds with village visible from bird’s eye view residing on the edge.
This view suddenly reminded me of the sceneries we used to draw in our childhood and all the windows XP wallpapers.
The scenery, greenery and above all warm and humble locals are everything we need to be surrounded with. A place of eternal peace and serenity. A place of eternal peace and serenity.
THE PEOPLE
Meghalaya’s biggest flex, if you ask me, aside from its ethereal beauty is its people and their culture, the Khasi tribe, in particular.
The warm, kindness, innocence can be visible in their faces and their gracious smiles from far away, enough to melt anyone with a heart.
Khasi is a well known tribal community around the North-east and are literally way ahead of us in every sense.
According to their culture, once two individuals get married, the husband inherits last name of the wife and is supposed to relocate to his mother-in-law’s house. Even their property gets passed on their matriarchal line of the family.
Meghalaya has a lot to offer to the traveler than just mesmerizing views and natural treasures. This journey really helped me a lot in branching out my perspective on nature .
There was this heavy burnout about life with everything going on around me that struck really hard when I was at Laitlum canyons. Sitting by the hills and time passed by, at that very moment all of a sudden I started to think how much sometimes we are letting go or wasting our lives without even realizing. Fighting over things that shouldn’t even matter in the first place; constantly running towards something even if that’s not what we want, just to get validation from society and some people.
Everything we do in our lives is constantly connected to pride and ego to the point that if we fail to deliver anything that we were expected to, we are not being worthy of even being acknowledged for their efforts;
We don’t see it and we never will, unless we take a pause now and then.
We are just a tiny dot in this vast universe. Just like every living being that came and disappeared before us, we too will eventually go to dust. But despite having intelligence to understand that, here we are, causing nothing but destruction. And somehow, we will never realize this before it’s too late
Meghalaya is not only one of India’s best places with abundant bio-diversity, but also proof of how many things we can learn from nature and put it to use and its ability to keep us from going insane. Nature was here before us and still going to be here after us. It’s completely upon us whether we understand the gift of nature we have and preserve it or let it perish for our selfish deeds and let the nature do its job.
This journey is something I am forever grateful for and undoubtedly, North-east will forever remain India’s treasures.
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