| FACTS &
FIGURES
Population :
2,60,000
Languages : English, Hindi, Khasi,
Garo, Assamese
Best time to visit : October–November
and March–April
STD Code : 0364
THE SCOTLAND
OF THE EAST
The romantic city of Shillong has been one of the important
tourist destinations in the northeast. It is often referred
to as the “Scotland of the East” due to
its striking similarity with the Scottish highlands.
The city derives its name from “Leishyllong”—the
Superpower or God who is believed to reside on the Shillong
peak, overlooking the city. Lying in the cradle of the
tall pine conifers and pineapple shrubs, Shillong’s
undulating terrain is a constant source of attraction
for tourists from both home and abroad. The Khasi, Jaintia
and Garo tribes add color to this hilly city.
LOCATION
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. The climate is hot and humid during
summers. The monsoons arrive in June and it rains almost
until the end of August. It is quite cold during winters.
PAST
Shillong was a small village until 1864,
when it became the new civil station of the Khasi and
Jaintia hills. It remained the summer capital of Eastern
Bengal and Assam for many years. In 1874, on the formation
of Assam as a Chief Commissioner’s Province, it
was chosen as the capital of the new administration.
An earthquake destroyed the city in 1897, necessitating
its complete rebuilding. In January 1972, Shillong became
the capital of the newly formed state of Meghalaya.
SITES TO VISIT
Waterfalls
The Crinoline Falls is about 12–13
m in height and lies to the west of the Survey of India
Office. There is a swimming pool at the base of the
falls.
The Gunner’s Falls 1 is about 24–26 m in
height and is near the military establishment on the
Upper Shillong road. It is about 1.6 km from the GPO.
The Gunner’s Falls 2 lies a km away from the
Happy Valley amidst picturesque locales.The Spread Eagle
Falls or Sati Falls is located about a mile away from
the Polo Ground. It is a famous picnic spot.
The Sweet Falls (also called “Weitden,”
in the native dialect) is the most beautiful of all
the waterfalls in Shillong. It lies about 5 km from
the Happy Valley and is about 96 m in height.
The Elephant Gait and the Elephant Falls are located
near Upper Shillong. These are beautiful sights especially
in the rainy season and are favorite picnic spots among
the locals. Beyond the Elephant Falls, one can also
view the Upper and Lower Elysium Falls.
The Beadon Falls lies about 2 km from Bara Bazaar.
There is a hydroelectric powerhouse at the base of the
falls. The Bishop Falls is also nearby and together
they mingle and flow into the Umiam River.
Peaks
Shillong Peak, the highest point of
Shillong, is located 5 km to the south of the city and
is 1961 meters (6,433 feet) in altitude. Being the highest
peak in the district, it is often surrounded with fog.
The peak itself is not steep, but rather semi-circular
like that of a crown placed on the flat and extensive
top of the Shillong Hill. The peak is accessible via
the Upper Shillong or Jowai Road.
The Sohpetbneng Peak is 1343 m in altitude and is regarded
as sacred by the Hynfiiewtrep tribe. It is a picturesque
location.
The Dingei Hill is situated near the Umiam stream.
Two paths lead to this hill fromShillong. One is the
narrow tract that leads straight to the gorge through
Umiyangka village. For a height of 1,000 ft on either
side of the stream, the gradient is very steep and precipitous
and makes for excellent mountain climbing. The second
route begins at Barapani on the GS Road, about 16 km
from Shillong. During the upward journey, one is provided
a captivating view of the Bhoi district, which lies
300 ft below the summit of the Dingei Hill.
The Dumpeep Peak is the highest in Swer and is 5100
feet above sea level. The Kyllang rock lies 78 km from
Shillong. The rock is a steep bare cliff of granite,
200 m in height and rises abruptly from plain grassy
downs.
Lakes
The Ward Lake is an important tourist
site of Shillong. It is a horseshoe-shaped artificial
lake lying beneath the Raj Bhavan (Governor's Residence)
and the Accountant General's (AG) Office, with little
isles and a bridge over it. The lake abounds in fish
(grass carps) and feeding the fish from the bridge is
a favorite pastime of the tourists. It is said that
a Khasi prisoner, who requested for any kind of work
to get him out of his cell, initiated its construction.
The lake has a charming winding walk-a-way in the midst
of rolling flowerbeds and fairyland lighting with gradually
undulating grounds, hemmed in by lush greens. Boats
are also available, while the cafeteria provides refreshments.
Seventeen kilometers before Shillong is situated Umiam
or Barapani—a large lake formed after a hydroelectric
dam was built across a stream. In recent years, this
has become an increasingly popular place for outings
and weekend visits. The Orchid Lake Resort, designed
by the famous architect Charles Correa, and constructed
amongst pinewood, overlooks the lake. There are facilities
for water sports here: from kayaking and water skiing
for the adventurous to water cycling and simple boating
for the less brave. The Orchid Lake Resort, run by the
Meghalaya Tourism Department, has pleasantly appointed
rooms with balconies, a restaurant and bar.
Other attractions
The State Museum is located at the State
Central Library complex in Laichumiere and visitors
can catch a glimpse of the heritage and lifestyle of
the Khasi tribe here. The Butterfly Museum at Riatsamthiah
holds a rare collection of butterflies and moths.
The Botanical Garden near Ward Lake has some species
of flora of the region. A better place is the Orchidarium
of the Botanical Survey of India. It has a rare collection
of orchids and is a treat to the nature lover.
Near the Botanical Garden, one can find the celebrated
Golf Course, called the Gleneagles of the East. The
Golf club retains the colonial touch and is the first
18-hole golf course in Asia.
Behind the Shillong Civil Hospital, near the Pine Mount
School, is the Lady Hydari Park. It has a small museum,
a small zoo, an aviary, and a deer park among tall cedars
and pines.
In front of St. Edmund’s College, one can visit
the fruit garden, maintained by the Department of Agriculture.
During spring, one can see the trees in full bloom.
There are many reservoirs filled with natural spring
water that have the dual purpose of watering the gardens
and functioning as a nursery—known as "Fishdale"—for
the raising and breeding of fish, notably hill-trout
and carps.
Shillong is also famous for its churches. The most
beautiful church is that of the Cathedral of Mary Help
of Christians. Directly below the hill is the Grotto
Church. The All Saints Church opposite the State Central
Library is an attractive structure made out of wood.
SITES NEARBY
About 56 km from Shillong is Cherrapunji
village (East Khasi Hills district), now called Sohra.
Located on the Shillong plateau about 55 km southwest
of Shillong, Cherrapunji and Mausynram (another village
nearby) are reputed to be the wettest places in the
world. The heavy rains here often swell the waters of
the Nohsngithiang waterfall. The town is famous for
its limestone caves and orange honey. It has the oldest
Presbyterian Church. Krem Mawmluh is a 4.5-km-long cave
near Cherrapunji.
A little further down the road to limestone caves,
there is a graveyard where British missionaries and
their close relatives lie buried. The visitors are awed
by a series of giant pillars or megaliths that have
been erected near a stream. Such megaliths are to be
seen in different parts of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills
and are usually erected to commemorate great deeds or
to honor dead chieftains. Accommodation is available
at the Circuit House.
The summer capital of the Jaintia kings, Nartiang,
is about 65 km east of Shillong. There is a park of
megaliths, some of which are as high as 8. A 500-year-old
temple of Durga is another attraction at Nartiang.
En route Nartiang, 64 km from Shillong, is the small
lake of Thadlaskein. It is a beautiful picnic spot.
About 13 km from Shillong is the village of Nongkrem.
It is the seat of the Syiem of Nongkrem, whose estate
extends up to Shillong. The traditional Nongkrem Dance
festival is held here around autumn and draws large
crowds of visitors.Sixty-four kilometers from Shillong
is Jakrem, a popular health resort having hot springs
of sulfur water, believed to have curative medicinal
properties. Dawki, a border town, 96 km from Shillong,
provides a glimpse of Bangladesh. The colorful annual
boat race during spring at the Umgot River is an added
attraction. At a distance of 140 km from Shillong is
Ranikor, an angler's paradise containing a huge population
of carp and mahseers.
Jowai is a popular and prosperous town situated on
a beautiful plateau 1,500 m above sea level. Three sides
of this plateau slope sharply down to the Hai River
and contiguous areas are rich in coal deposits. It is
also an important station on the route to Silchar and
Agartala.
FESTIVALS
The festivals vary according to the
tribes. Christmas, Easter, Good Friday and the New Year
Day celebrations are the most important. Ka Pomblang
Nongkrem, or the Nongkrem dance, is one of the most
important Khasi festivals. Shad Sukmynsiem is another
important festival of the Khasis. Behdiengkhlam, the
festival of the Jaintias, is celebrated in July. Wangala
is the festival of the Garos and is dedicated to the
Sun God.
WHERE TO SHOP
The main shopping areas are Police Bazaar,
Bara Bazaar and Laitumukhrah. On Iewduh, the first day
of the eight-day long Khasi week, people from all over
eastern Meghalaya come to sell their products here.
In the center of Police Bazar, on the corner of Kacheri
road, there are shops selling finely woven baskets of
all sizes. For hand-woven shawls, handicrafts, orange
flower honey and cane work, one can visit the various
emporia like Meghalaya Handicrafts, Khadi Gramodyog
and Purbashree.
HOW TO REACH
The nearest airport and railhead is
Guwahati in Assam. The Guwahati–Shillong Road
connects the two cities. Pineapple plantations and pine
trees on both sides line the road.
FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION
There are numerous cheap hotels in the
Police Bazaar area and on GS Road. The traditional Khasi
delicacies include pig’s brains with ginger and
fried rice flavored with pig’s blood.
|
