Meghalaya
- Area:22,429 sq. kms.
- Capital:Shillong
- Language:Khasi, Garo, English
Meaning 'abode of the clouds', Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful states of the country. A small state in the north eastern part of the country, picturesque Meghalaya is situated between the Brahmaputra valley in the north and Bangladesh in the south. Geographically known as 'Meghalaya Plateau' or the 'Shillong Plateau', the area consists of oldest rock-formations. Most of the state is covered by the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills. The common sight of white clouds hanging on mountain tops enthralls tourists the most. Not surprisingly, Meghalaya also receives a lot of rainfall. The state is also full of beautiful lakes, springs and rivers. Many nature lovers are compelled to opine that in Meghalaya, nature is at its best.
It is said that the various tribal groups of Meghalaya like the Khasis, Jaintias, Mikirs and Kacharis have been inhabitants of the region even before the start of the Christian era. Kinship was the tradition among the tribals. Recorded history says that the earliest Jaintia king had started ruling from 1500 AD. The British, who forayed into north eastern region later compared to other parts of the country, took control of the Garo hills in 1872. After the British took over, the infrastructure of the state was significantly improved. Initially a part of the state of Assam after independence, Meghalaya was granted statehood on 21 January, 1972 thus becoming the 21st state of the country.
Shillong, the capital of the state and a popular hill station of eastern India, is full of attractions. More interesting is the fact that most of the tourist attractions of Shillong are pure natural delights like lakes, water falls and parks. The myriad of attractions include Ward's lake, Shillong peak, Spread Eagle falls, Crinoline falls, Sweet falls, Elephanta falls, Beadon falls, Shillong Golf Course, Polo Grounds and Umian Lake. Cherrapunji, located at a distance of 56 kms from Shillong is the wettest place on earth. The orange groves and limestone caves of Cherrapunji are a must-see for tourists. The Garo hills has a number of beautiful lakes and caves. Thadlaskein, the most beautiful of the lakes, is believed to have been built by ancient foot soldiers with the points of their bows. Tourist lodges have recently been built to attract tourists in a big way. Tura is another beautiful town of the state. The Tura peak offers a splendid view of the landscape below. Another attraction is the wide distribution of megaliths in the place. The age of most of them still could not be ascertained.
The population of Meghalaya comprises three prin@ibal groups- Garos, Khasis and Jaintias. These groups primarily follow a matrilineal system. There is also a sizeable presence of Assamese, Bengali and Marwari communities in Shillong and nearby areas. Of the many festivals celebrated in the state, the important ones are Wangala-the harvest festival, Shad Nongkrem, Shad Suk Mynsiem and Beh-Dien-Khlam.
Cloud covered Meghalaya is easily accessible from Guwahati, the gateway to the north east. From Shillong, the nearest airport and railway station are at Guwahati at a distance of little over 100 kms. The road from Guwahati to Shillong is full of scenic beauty.
To have a glimpse of nature in its most unadulterated form, there is no destination better placed than Meghalaya.
Places of Interest
Garo Hills
Garo hills known for its abundance of flora and fauna should interest naturalists and photographers to capture the variegated facets of life, of a unique range of flora and fauna
Arabella range and the Tura range are two mountain ranges pass through the Garo hills, the headquarters; town of Tura is situated 323-km via Guwahati from Shillong at an altitude of 657m. The highest point is Nokrek Peak with an elevation of 1,412m.
Tura has a picturesque landscape of hills against a backdrop of low-lying plains. A sunset view can be best seen from Tura Peak at 1,400m and its summit can be reached by a 5-km trek, partly by hiking and also by rock-climbing.
Places to See:
Sisobibra, Imilchang Dare, Siju Bird Sanctuary, Williamnagar, Bhaitbari, Rongbang Dare, Chibragre.
Ioling is Situated 8-km off Jowai on the Jowai-Badarpur Road, i.e. NH-44, Ialong is one of the oldest villages of Jaintia Hills district close to the NH-44 and within the village area, there is a beautiful sacred grove known as khloo Lyngdoh Ialong. Within this sacred grove there are the remains of an ancient boulder-fortress where the soldiers of the Jaintia King garrisoned themselves from time to time during the middle of the 19th century. 
The largest Jaintia market is located at Jowai, the district headquarters, opposite the country Old Collectorate Building and slightly older police station. It is better known as Iawmusiang and like many other weekly market in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, it is held on every eighth day. The Iawmusiang market derives its name from the sacred stone within the market, which has been brought to its present location from Nongbah, in ancient times. The sacred stone continues to be venerated and believers regularly offer Puja to this stone, especially before the annual Behdienkhlam festival.
The District West Khasi Hills, presently the largest district of Meghalaya, was carved out of the erstwhile Khasi Hills District on the 28th October 1976. In the same year, on 10th November, the Mairang Administrative Unit was upgraded into a full-fledged Sub-Division and Mawkyrwat was created as an Administrative Unit.
The capital of Meghalaya, Shillong lies on the eastern part of the state. Perched at an altitude of 1,520 meters (4,990 feet) above sea level, the city stretches for about 6 km on an elevated tract. It is situated on a plateau bound on the north by the Umiam gorge, on the northwest by the great mass of the Diengiei Hills that rise up to a height of 1,823 meters (6077 ft.) above sea level, and on the northeast by the hills of the Assam valley. The Umshyrpi and the Umkhra rivers, which finally merge and form the Umiam River, water it. Shillong is at distance of 104 km from Guwahati, 295 km from Kaziranga, 578 km from Siliguri and 658 km from Darjeeling.