Even though the number of people visiting northeast is on an increase, it remains a paradise unexplored and one of the best destinations for nature lovers, trekkers and wildlife enthusiasts. Shillong belongs to the seven “sister states” of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. I visited Shillong, a small city in Meghalaya and it was a truly a beautiful experience. No matter where you looked, all you would see is clouds and it was immensely captivating and a relief from the heat!
Meghna Rai
Shillong had been the capital of the Assam province that was created during the British Rule. It remained the capital of undivided Assam until the formation of the state of Meghalaya in 1972. The capital of Assam was then shifted to Dispur, a part of Guwahati, and Shillong remained a capital city, now of Meghalaya.
Culture and Lifestyle
The unexplored paradise of India is well known for its distinct culture and traditional lifestyle. People from north east offer a colourful reflection of their land and traditional lifestyle. The mongoloid faced people of this region are very distinctive in characteristics of dress, customs and language. Major tribes of hills such as Khasi, Garo and Jaintia are rich in culture and traditions and tribal people of the valley follow religious beliefs, music, dance and arts.
My visit to Shillong
I went to Shillong in September, which is generally the monsoon season. Shillong is a small city and the best way to experience it is on foot. Walking around the city, exploring its food and culture, talking to the locals offer lifetime memories for you. Few must visit places are at a distance and can be covered either by shared taxis or city bus.
Journey to Shillong
The road journey from Guwahati to Shillong is mesmerizing. On your left side is the state of Assam and on the right is Meghalaya. The cheapest and most preferred ways to reach Shillong is via railways and bus/shared taxis. The nearest railhead is Guwahati, which is nearly 100 km from the city. It’s just the borders drawn by mankind that separates these two states. My curiosity to visit “Cherrapunji – the second wettest place on planet earth” and Shillong being a gateway to the same, is what brought me to this majestic hill station.
The city is popularly referred to as Scotland of the East, owing to its cascading waterfalls, hills and an impeccable climate. You can cover the must-visit places of Shillong in a day. But to experience more the food, culture and lifestyle of the local, I would suggest staying for few more days.
Places to visit
I started my trip by covering the must visit place, i.e., the Umiam Lake and ended the trip at Elephant falls. You can also do the same or vice versa. Umiam Lake is located 15 Km North of Shillong and is definitely one of the most beautiful lakes in the North East region. Here, you can enjoy various activities such as kayaking, scooting, boating and water cycling.
Another popular attraction of Shillong is its Golf Course, which is one of the largest golf courses in Asia. Although it is not well maintained and has garbage piling in corners. I would recommend you take a gentle stroll to the end of course, from where you can enter dense jungles.
Next on the list, visit the Elephant Falls. British named the falls as Elephant Falls due to the resemblance of the rock to the elephant. The rock was later destroyed in an earthquake. The unique thing about the falls is that it is a three-tier waterfall. It is a great stop point before one head for further journeys into Meghalaya.
Food options in Shillong
No trip is complete without savouring its local cuisine and Shillong too has much to offer. Police Bazaar houses many food joints but one should also be aware about the cleanliness of the roadside stall. Do try the local Momos from a roadside joint and the famous jalebi from Delhi Mishthan. Also don’t forget to try Paan or Betel leaf, which is sold almost everywhere. What I loved most here was eating Pineapples as the ones you get in Shillong are like no other. Café Shillong is another good option to dine. The freshness in the air of the entire Meghalaya made me fall in love with the state. Wish I could have settled there for my entire life.
