SHILLONG
Significance : Capital Of Meghalaya
Main Attractions : Ward Lake, Shilling Peak, Beadon Falls, Bishop Falls
Best Time To Visit : April To May And September To November
Scotland Of The East
Perched at an altitude of 1,496 m, this lesser known hill station is also
called the "Scotland of the east". What exactly it has in common
with Scotland maybe a matter of discussion but the majority of the
population - the Khasis and the
Jaintias - boats of a clan system that
would any day outrival the Scottish clans!
As the car winds up from
Guwahati
in neighbouring Assam, 103-km away, the flat, dusty and grimy plains give
way to rolling hills that rise slowly and sinuously. No abrupt, sudden
assault on the senses. The charms of Shillong begin to work gradually but
effectively. The road snakes up through lush green forests, seeping into
the senses like heady wine.
Even before the effect of Umiam Lake
wears off, Shillong spreads out with its lush green undulating hills,
cottages tucked in its folds with a sprinkling of old world cathedrals and
churches and localities with quaint names like 'Laitumkrah', 'Sunnyhill',
'Lachumiere', 'Mawalai', 'Nongthymiah' and 'Pokseh'.
Khasi-Pnar Tribes Homeland
Shillong, the home of the Khasi-Pnar tribe has its origin rooted in
myths. The more common legend traces the name of Shillong to a mythical
youth, U Shillong, a supernatural youth born out of immaculate conception
of a virgin mother named Lir U Shillong or the one who grows naturally and
who is the presiding deity of the city. The phrase 'Khot Shillong"
(Call Shillong) is a prayer mantra in times of distress.
Another legend involves the Shillong deity, a Supernatural being and his
beautiful daughter who went on to become the "Pahsyntiew" (lured
by flower) Queen mother of the Shillong kingdom following her marriage to
a local youth Kongor Nongiri.
Nature Unfold
The legends might have vague roots but there is no disputing that nature
has been more than partial where Shillong is concerned. Towering pines and
gurgling mountain streams, awesome waterfalls that go by the name of
Elephant, Crinoline, sweet falls, and the twin Bishop and Beadon. Then
there are lakes and gorges and caverns that all combine to make Shillong a
tourist's delight.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Ward Lake
And if nature's bounty was not enough, Shillong boasts of a man made
lake- Ward's Lake - right in the heart of the city. The lake, built by
Chief Commissioner William Ward in 1893-94, is a picture book lake
complete with a white wooden Japanese like bridge and fishes that throng
to feed on Channa (Chickpeas).
Shillong Peak
For a panoramic view of the city, the best bet is Shilling peak at 1,965
m, the highest point in the state and 10-km from the city. On a clear day,
the whole of Shillong spreads below it before disappearing into the
distant blue green hills. And on a clear night, it is a bejewelled,
twinkling carpet out of an Arabian lore.
State Museum
Meghalaya's State Museum, in Lachumiere, has exhibits depicting tribal
customs and a weaker collection of ancient scriptures from elsewhere in
India.
Timing:
In Summer - Monday to Saturday 10.00 am to 4.30 pm
In Winter - 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Closed on: - 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month.
Entry: Free
Butterfly Museum
A more unusual museum is the tiny Butterfly Museum, based in the home of
Mr. Wankhar, in the Riatsamthiah area, which hold an extensive collection
of butterflies and moths. Since 1939, Mr. Wankhar has run a breeding farm
in the Khasi hills to the south, shipping eggs and cocoons all over the
world.
Timing: - Monday to Friday - 10.00 am to 4.00 pm and Saturday
10.00 am to 1.00 pm
Nurseries
To sample the delights of Shillong, the best way is to opt out of the
tourist route and amble around. Walk through lanes saddled by cute
cottages, walk into nurseries in the upper Shillong areas and ask for the
exotic orchids and the unique carnivorous plant - the Pitcher Plant.
Botanical Gardens
Visit the "Sacred groves" or virgin forests. The nearest one is
the Mawphlang sacred as it is by traditional religious sanctions. The
forest is so sacred that even a dead leaf cannot be removed from the area.
With the sanction of religion, it is certainly a brilliant way of
preserving the ecological system.
Lady Hydari Park
There is the perfectly landscaped Lady Hydari Park ablaze with roses and
flowers of almost every variety even as weeping willows bend into water
bodies that house pelicans and the like. There is also a mini zoo and
Butterfly museum with colourful species preserved for sale and posterity.
Iewduh - Shopper's Stop
Take a walk down to Lewduh, the main bazaar run mostly by women under the
administrative supervision of the Mylliem State. While here, feast on the
local sight, smell and taste. And splurge on the unbelievable cane and
wood products.
Anglican Cemetery
Lovers of old churchyards will enjoy the Anglican cemetery in Rilbong,
with gravestones dating back to the last century, including those soldiers
killed in the Lushai campaign in
Mizoram .
Beadon Falls, Bishop Falls & Elephant Falls
Beadon Falls and Bishop Falls, off the Guwahati road at Mawprem, 3-km
north, and Elephant Falls, set amid fern-covered rocks 12-km south, are
popular waterfalls and picnic sites, and accessible by taxi.
Spread Eagle Falls 
Located on the outskirts of the city, lies a sparkling waterfall, which
looks like an eagle with, wings spread out. Hence, the name spread eagle
falls. The falls has fairly steep cliffs on three sides with a very deep
pool beneath - a soothing setting amidst calm nature. The falls is locally
known as "Urkaliar" or the falls into which Ka Liar slipped.
Sohpetbneng Peak
Situated at a height of 1,343m, 20-km from Shillong, regarded as sacred
by the Hynniewtrep people, is set amidst a beautiful scenic view against
the backdrop of sacred forest. This 'Navel-of-heaven' as per Khasi
mythology, is a heavenly peak, which offers to fill the spiritual void and
emptiness, to those who seek and desire solace and peace of mind.
Kyllang Rock
On the road from Mairang to Nongkhlaw lies a massive single granite stone
at great height known as Kyllang Rock. It presents an appearance of a
circular dome with a diameter of about 1,000 ft.
Rengthiam Falls
At a distance of 15-km from Shillong on the Shillong - Jowai highway is
the awe-inspiring Rengthiam Falls. Located in the mawlyngad village, 2
kms. Away at pepbah, this spectacular waterfall untouched in its natural
beauty and surroundings will give any visitor the excitement of visiting
the unknown in this unique corner waiting to be discovered.
Lum Nehru Park
Adjacent to the orchid lake resort in one of the surrounding spurs, there
is a charming park. Besides beautiful lawns and flowers. There is also an
orchid-house and an aviary. Plans are afoot to construct an aquarium and
set-up musical fountains nearby.
ADVENTURE & SPORTS
Trekking
Shillong has very recently joined the Adventure Tourism bandwagon. The
Project Division of Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation has
identified two trekking Trails and backed them up with exclusive
photographs, maps, trekking equipments and tents; all available at the
MTDC Office at Polo Road.
The five-days part-trek and part-bus trip to Cherrapunjee and the seven
days trek to Umlyng (extendable to ten days if one wants to press on upto
Mawlyndep) exposes the trekker to dense pine and mixed forests, bamboo
groves and interesting rock formations, exotic ferns and tree creepers, a
pride of wild orchids and wild flowers.
Water Sports
One the other hand, if one is into water sports, the Umiam Lake resort
serves up motorboats, water scooters, skiing and sailing facilities backed
by the comforts of the Orchid Lake resort. Angling is another activity
that one can delve into here, but Ranikhor is truly the angler's dream
come true! For the less adventurous, Ward's Lake right in the heart of
Shillong, has row boats and paddle boats a-plenty.
A Golfer's Paradise 
For those seeking to combine their holiday with a dash of sport, there is
the golf club and the 18-hole golf course. It is the third oldest course
in the country, termed "the Gleneagle of the East" by the United
States Golf Association Library and Museum. The club is a throwback to the
old world charms reminiscent of the British.
Teer - The Local Sport
If it is local sport, one is looking for, try "Teer". The
ancient martial art of Archery has now been allowed to develop into the
addictive Teer or legalized betting. Betters go on waging their money on
how many arrows the archers will shoot at the end of the day. And those
who hit the bulls-eye go home richer!
CLICK HERE FOR SHILLONG EXCURSION GUIDE
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