Shillong

Shillong is the only hill station in the country that is accessible from all sides. The name Shillong is derived from U-Shyllong, a powerful deity and is situated at an altitude of 1,491m above sea level. This beautiful city is 103kms. from Guwahati, the nearest air and train link. The presence of many well reputed educational institutions, many of them established by various missionary groups make Shillong the hub of education for the entire north-east.

Lady Hydari Park

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillong

hydari parkA popular spot both with locals and tourist, it is located in the heart of the city with an abundance of plants and flowers. The best months to see the flowers bloom are in April and October.

Ward's Lake

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillong

wards lakeA beautiful manmade lake named after Sir William Ward, the then, Chief Commissioner of Assam. A beautiful little lake with short garden walks and boating facilities - this is a popular spot for both local and visiting tourists.

Cathedral Catholic Church

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, Laitumkhrah

laitumkhrah churchIn the heart of the city, there stands a beautiful cathedral of Roman Catholics dedicated to Mary Help of Christian.

Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillongmuseum shillong

For those interested in ethnic tribal culture and tradition this Govt. Museum under the control of Art and Culture Department offers insights to the lifestyle of the people. This museum is in the State Central Library complex where monuments for the great patriots of the state had been erected besides the statue of Smt. Indira Gandhi and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, Mawlai

don bosco museumA three-in-one Institution combining a museum with a research and publication centre, for promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of North East India -a unique fusion of all the sister states under one roof.

With seven stories, 56,000 square feet of floor space and 15,154 square feet of display wall space, it ranks among the top 36 or so cultural centres of its kind in the Salesian world. Museums/ Cultural Centres in practice appear to be a significant aspect of the Salesian mission

Even in terms of design the DBCIC is startling: built in hexagonal shape, its seven floors represent the seven states of North East India. The building rises to form a flame, expressing the reality that if cultures are understood well, they can form a communion of cultures for a better society.

DBCIC contains seventeen galleries displaying cultural artefacts and paintings. It offers study and research facilities throughout its specialised library of 10,000 volumes, a media hall and a conference hall. It is frequented by school students and older research students and anthropologists, since this area of India is an anthropologist's paradise.

Don Bosco Museum

Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures (DBCIC)

Mawlai, Shillong – 793 008, Meghalaya, INDIA

A beautiful city encircled by pine trees, Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya. It derives its name from Lei Shyllong, an idol worshipped at the Shillong Peak. Standing as tall as 1496 meters, Shillong provides a relief from the heat across the country. This hill station is known for its picturesque sights and traditions. The soothing climate makes Shillong suitable to visit in all seasons. The light drizzles and the cooling gentle wind adds to the joy of visiting this hill station. This place is also known as the ?Scotland of the East?. One can find descendants of the Khyrim, Mylliem, Maharam, Mallaisohmat, Bhowal and Langrim tribes.

Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is the home to numerous waterfalls. The exciting mountain peaks, crystal clear lakes, breathtakingly beautiful golf courses, museums and the zoo are the key reasons why people visit Shillong. Apart from the natural beauty, Shillong also acts as the gateway to Meghalaya, the state famous for heavy rainfalls, caving, tallest waterfalls, beautiful landscapes and amazing people and culture. Shillong in particular has been in limelight for its jovial people and their culture. Interestingly, Shillong has a very westernised culture and it has a very young feel to it. Shillong is also famous as the music capital of India, as many prominent musicians have hailed from this place. Many music events keep happening throughout the year, making it a very lively place.   Surrounded by coniferous forests, this man-made lake or reservoir is located at a distance of 15 km to the north of Shillong. It stretches over an area of about 221 square kilometres which is four times the size of San Marino or Bermuda. It is enveloped by lush green East Khasi hills and offers some of the best panoramic sights for nature-lovers. The lake is dotted with a few islands and there is also a park adjoining it making it a hotspot for picnics. Adventure lovers can also enjoy various water-sports like kayaking, water cycling, boating and scooting.

The name 'Umiam' translates into 'water of tears and has a fascinating legend circling it. Two sisters began their journey of alighting from the heaven, and one of them got lost. The other sister was so torn with grief that her tears filled up this lake when she reached Meghalaya.

Apart from the tranquillity that this place has to offer, one can also observe the daily life of the natives who come to the lake in search of twigs and grass or the fishermen canoeing in the still waters. In summers, the shores are adorned by beautiful gulmohar trees. Water level recedes in the winter and turns azure. There is also a park adjoining the lake. Mawlynnong is a small village in the East Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya, the abode of changing clouds. Mawlynnong is famous for its matrilineal society as well as having been declared Asia's cleanest village which comes under the Pynursla community development block and legislative assembly constituency.

Mawlynnong is a village in the East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. It is famous for its women-centric society as well as having been declared Asia's cleanest village. As per the survey of 2014, there were about 95 homes in Mawlynnong. The literacy rate was 100%. The localites...  Read More

Photos of Mawlynnong

Matrineal Society

As per tradition the females here are quite privileged as the Mawlynnong property and wealth are passed from the mother to the youngest of her daughters, who also keeps the mother's surname.

Sanitation

Mawlynnong is known for its cleanliness. The waste collected in the dustbins made of bamboo is directed to a pit and then used as manure. The travel magazine Discover India declared the village as the cleanest in Asia in 2003, and the cleanest in India in the year 2005. Moasunep Kichu's documentary on the village, became popular and it is known as Asia's Cleanest Village. Named after an Elephant like stone at its foot, the Elephant Falls are amongst the most popular falls in the North-East, situated next to Shillong. It is a tourists' paradise with three layers of the falls accessible to the layman from different vantage points. At Elephant Falls one can get very close to the falls and enjoy its serenity and might.

The first of the three waterfalls are tucked between the dense trees and are very broad. The second waterfall reduces to thin strands of water and is almost negligible in winters due to the receding water levels. The third and the most visible waterfall is the tallest with clear water. flowing like a sheet of milk on the dark rocks in the backdrop. Elephant Falls are a great stopover destination before one heads for further journeys into Meghalaya. Located 12 km away from the capital city of Shillong, Elephant Falls is one of the most visited falls in Meghalaya.   Acknowledged as one of the wettest place in the world, the mesmerizing village of Mawsynram is a nature lover's delight and the perfect destination to behold the beauty of the rains. Mawsynram trounces Cherrapunjee by a slight margin in being the wettest place in India.

A rain lover's paradise, Mawsynram is one of the best tourist attractions of India. The 'Maw' in Mawsynram is a Khasi word meaning 'stone'. It symbolizes the unique megaliths unearthed in the Khasi Hill area. The village is well known for its huge formation of a stalagmite, which takes after the shape of a 'Shivling'. Located in the East Khasi Hill district of Meghalaya, Mawsynram is 1400 m above sea level. The rains are so powerful in Mawsynram that the local villagers have to make use of thick grass to sound-proof their homes from the thunderous rain.  A pretty artificial lake surrounded by gardens is an ideal evening get away! Also known as the Polok Lake, it is usually flocked by couples, picnickers and locals.

Boating and fountain dancing are big activities of this place. The complex also has a cafeteria and a Botanical Garden. the lake is located beneath the Governor's recidence.