SHILLONG - KNOWN AS SCOTLAND OF THE EAST

Shillong is a hill station in northeast India and capital of the state of Meghalaya. It’s known for Lady Hydari Park’s manicured gardens. Nearby, Ward’s Lake is surrounded by walking trails. North, the Don Bosco Center for Indigenous Cultures features displays on the region’s native people. Waterfalls include the Elephant Falls to the southwest. East of here, forested Shillong Peak offers city views.

Elevation: 1,525 m

            Area: 64.36 km²

            Weather: 20°C, Wind SW at               23 km/h, 85% Humidity

            Population: 132,867 (2001)

            Number of airports: 1

BEST PLACES TO VISIT



ELEPHANT FALLS-




Elephant Falls is situated at the outskirts of the main city of Shillong. It is almost 12 kms away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The unique part of Elephant Falls in Meghalaya is that it is a two-tier waterfall set in the dingles of the rocks. The beauty of Meghalaya Elephant Falls is increased manifold by the two falls-the Wir Phang Falls and the Wei Iaplam Falls. Though both of them are busy tourist spots, none 


Elephant Falls at Meghalaya solely holds the attraction of Upper Shillong. Specially in the rainy seasons, Elephant Falls comes to its full vigor and justifies its name. Let apart the tourists, even the locals cannot resist the temptation of an outing in the months of July and August. 



SEVEN SISTER FALLS OR NOHSNGITHIANG FALLS

Nohsngithiang Falls (also known as the Seven Sisters Waterfalls or Mawsmai Falls) is a seven-segmented waterfall located 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) south of Mawsmai village in East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. The water falls from a height of 315 metres (1,033 ft) and has an average width of 70 metres (230 ft).making it one of the tallest waterfalls in India.

The falls plunges over the top of limestone cliffs of the Khasi Hills only during the rainy season. In full spate, the segments stretch most of the way along the cliff. The waterfalls get illuminated by the sun and the vibrant colors of the setting sun on the waterfalls makes it beautiful.

NOHKALIKAI FALLS

The name of the falls in Khasi language meaning "Jump of Ka Likai" is linked to a legend about local women Likai who jumped off the cliff next to the falls; According to legends, in a village called Rangjyrteh, upstream from Nohkalikai Falls, a woman named Likai resided but had to remarry after her husband died. Ka Likai (Ka is the prefix given for the female gender in Khasi) was left with her infant girl with no means of income. So she had to become a porter herself. Her work required her to leave her daughter unattended for long intervals but when she would be at home she would spend most of her time taking care of her infant. Ka Likai, who married a second time, couldn’t pay attention to her second husband. The jealous husband killed the infant and cooked her meat after throwing away her head and bones. When Ka Likai returned home, she saw nobody in the house but except for a meal that had been prepared. She wanted to go look for her daughter but she ate the meat as she was tired from work.

Ka Likai usually had a betel leaf after her meals but she found a severed finger near the place where she usually cut betel nuts and betel leaves. Ka Likai realized what had happened in her absence and went mad with anger and grief and started running as she swung a hatchet in her hand. She ran off the edge of the plateau and the waterfall where she jumped from was named Nohkalikai Falls after her.