The passion to travel and explore new places is something I live for and love doing the most in my life! North Eastern part of India was yet to be touched alone so grabbed my tickets to Guwahati and moved further to Shillong.

Shillong view point:

Shillong View Point, also known as Laitkor Peak or Shillong Peak, offers a panoramic view of the city and its surrounding landscape. Located around 10 km south of Shillong, it stands at an elevation of 6,433 feet (1,961 meters), making it the highest point in the city. Visitors can enjoy a telescope room for a bird's-eye view of the city. 

Key features of Shillong View Point:

• Panoramic views: The peak offers stunning views of the city, hills, and valleys. 
• Telescope room: A telescope is available for tourists to get a clearer view of the surroundings. 
• Religious significance: According to local beliefs, the peak is the abode of a deity that protects the city. 
• Mild climb: The trek to the top is considered relatively easy with a semi-circular structure. 
• Foggy conditions: The peak is often shrouded in fog, especially during certain times of the year. 
• Indian Air Force base: The viewpoint is situated within the Indian Air Force base. 
• Cultural significance: The city is believed to be named after this pea

Elephant falls :

The Elephant Falls are a two-tier waterfall in Shillong, Meghalaya, India. The mountain stream descends through two successive falls set in dells of fern-covered rocks. The original Khasi name for the falls is Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew, which translates to "the three-step waterfall". This name is still used locally. The modern name of "Elephant Falls" is explained by a signboard near the waterfall. The name originated in the British era when the Englishmen spotted a giant rock that looked like an elephant near the fall. However, this rock was destroyed in the 1897 due to an earthquake.

The first fall of Elephant Falls is an example of a horsetail-punchbowl waterfall. The first fall is very broad and is hidden among trees. The second fall however, is quite domesticated and in the winters (and drier months) looks inconsequential. The third fall is the tallest and comes into view suddenly and looks most spectacular with crystal clear water falling over sharp rocks of myriad shapes.

The sides of the waterfall are flanked by lush greenery and are rich in ferns.

East Khasi hills district:

1.Cherrapunji –

A. Dainthlen Falls :

This is a spectacular waterfall near Cherrapunji, Meghalaya. Dainthlen is named after a mythological Gigantic snake named Thlen. According to the myth, this snake was killed to get rid of the terror that this snake had in this region. Cascading down from a height of about 90 m, Dainthlen Falls is among the famous waterfalls in Cherrapunji which attracts large number of tourists every year. A few minutes of careful walk is required to reach the iron fence from where one will able to witness the gushing waterfall. There was no proper road to reach the viewpoint, it was bit tricky to step on the rocks and avoid the mud. For the best view of Dainthlen, one should cross the stream to the other side. This is only possible when water level is low. There is also an old bridge over the stream which acts as a perfect background for pictures.

B. NohKaLikai Falls :

The falls are formed by the Rathi River that originates near Bhagmara waterfall and then flows down towards Laitkynsew village in the state of Meghalaya. There is a cemented path that leads from Laitkynsew village to Nohkalikai Falls which takes around a 20-minute walk to reach this beautiful waterfall site.

According to local legend, in a village called Rangjyrteh, upstream from Nohkalikai Falls, there lived a woman named Likai who found she had no choice but to remarry following the death of her husband. "Ka Likai" ('Ka' is the prefix for the female gender in Khasi) was left with an infant daughter and scant means of earning a living; in order to sustain herself and feed her child, she took on the arduous job of a porter. Her work required her to leave the child unattended for long periods, and what little time she could spend at home was devoted almost entirely to caring for her baby. Realising that raising a child required both parents, Ka Likai married a second time for the sake of her daughter. However, as mother to an infant, she was obliged to give her daughter constant attention, at the expense of giving her wicked second husband the love he thought he deserved. Consumed with jealous rage, he conceived a hatred for his little stepdaughter, finally killing the infant in cold blood and cooking her flesh, after first throwing away her severed head and bones in order to hide – as he thought – all trace of the murder. When Ka Likai returned, she found the house empty, although someone had prepared a meal. She wanted to go and look for her daughter, but was so famished from her labours that she fell upon the dish of cooked meat, devouring it avidly until she could eat no more.

Ka Likai usually chewed a betel quid after her meal, but was horrified to discover a severed finger near the place where she usually prepared her betel nuts and betel leaves. Realising what had happened in her absence, she went mad with anger and grief and began to run frenziedly, all the while swinging a hatchet in her hand. She finally ran right off the edge of the plateau, plunging to her death, unable to bear any longer the thought that she had unknowingly cannibalised her murdered daughter. The waterfall from which she leaped was named Nohkalikai Falls as a grim reminder of the tragedy that had befallen the unfortunate Ka Likai.

C.Arwah Cave:

D. Nongriat :

It is perhaps best known for its living root bridges; one an impressive double-decker suspension bridge called Jingkieng Nongriat. The village has three functional root bridges. These are crafted by hand, as the Khasi people have done in the Khasi Hills for centuries, intertwining and weaving together the aerial roots of banyan trees on opposite sides of a stream-filled gorge. Jingkieng Nongriat, better known simply as Double Decker, has been featured on international television programs such as the Human Planet series filmed in 2008 by BBC Wales, and a documentary by Osamu Monden in June 2004 for Asahi TV in Japan. There is another functioning living root bridge upstream from Nongriat, along with a hybrid structure that is made from both roots and steel wire.

The descent to the Nongriat double-decker root bridge is an epic one. You begin at the tip of the valley close to the village of Tyrna and climb down approximately 3000 steps. On the way, there are plenty of stunning vistas and natural sights to soak in.

The root bridges of Meghalaya are an enigma, an integral part of the old Khasi lifestyle that dates back to the times when trekking through thick forests and negotiating fast-flowing rivers was a part of the routine. Nongriat’s double-decker root bridge is unique because of its multi-level formation – it took years for these beautiful examples of botanical architecture to develop. There are some pools nearby surrounded with rocks where you can sit and relax – the neatly maintained food stalls will ensure that you will not be famished after your journey.

2. Mawlynnong -

Mawlynnong is a village in the East Khasi Hills district of the Meghalaya state in North East India. It is notable for its cleanliness and also was chosen by Discover India magazine as Asia's cleanest village. Mawlynnong is located 90 km from Shillong, along the India–Bangladesh border. Kalain "The Gateway Of Barak Valley" is 187 km from Mawlynnong. A famous geographical occurrence in Mawlynnong is the Balancing Rock of Mawlynnong. As of

2019, Mawlynnong had 900 residents. As of 2014, there are about 95 households in Mawlynnong. The literacy rate is 90%. Agriculture is the chief occupation of the local population, with betel nut being the main crop. During summers, one can find pineapples and lychees which are then exported to the nearby regions as well. The people residing in the community are Khasi people.

The population is mostly Christian and the village has three churches. Mawlynnong is known for its cleanliness. The waste is collected in the dustbins made of bamboo, directed to a pit and then used as manure. A community initiative mandates that all residents should participate in cleaning up the village. Smoking and use of polythene is banned while rainwater harvesting is encouraged.

The travel magazine Discover India declared the village as Asia's cleanest village in 2003, and the cleanest in India in 2005. This reputation has boosted local tourism; in 2017 NPR reported that, according to the village headsman, incomes had increased by 60 percent due to increased tourism.

A.Living Root Bridge, Nohwet Village:

B.Balancing rock:

3. Māwsynrām-

Mawsynram receives the highest rainfall in India. It is reportedly the wettest place on Earth, with an average annual rainfall of 11,872 millimetres (467.4 in). According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Mawsynram received 26,000 millimetres (1,000 in) of rainfall in 1985. Mawsynram received 745.2 mm of rainfall on 19 August 2015, probably the highest rainfall received by the town in recent times. On 17 June 2022, Mawsynram set a new record by receiving 1003.6 mm in a span of 24 hours which has now become its highest single day record for the month of June and for its all-time single day record, beating its former record of 944.7 mm on 7 June 1966.

A.Mawphlang Sacred Forest :

About 25 miles from the city of Shillong lies the sacred forests of Mawphlang, tucked in the Khasi hills. With a cultural history of more than 800 years, Mawphlang Forest is the oldest and the largest sacred forest existing for the Khasi tribes. The Khasi hills have over 50 sacred forests. Each forest has a sacred grove where the tribes assemble to offer sacrifices. These groves are said to be protected by a local deity and are thus considered sacred to the clan members. The Mawphlang sacred forest is protected by the local deity named Labasa.

Mawphlang left me in awe. And to understand Mawphlang it may be essential to understand the Khasi tribe. The Khasi tribe in Meghalaya worships the beauty that nature has bestowed on them and the spirit of conservation is deeply embedded in the people probably rooted in several religious beliefs. The tribes are quite sentimental when it comes to preserving the natural environment. As per their belief, every village is incomplete and has no identity without its own sacred forest. And Mawphlang (in local language translation it is ‘Maw’ means stone and ‘Phlang’ means grass, or the land of endless grassy stones), being the largest and the most prominent was the perfect place to understand the bond Khasi people have with nature. But don’t just come thinking of a megalith walk around the forests with some sacrificial spots. There’s a thrill in being in the wilderness here. Silence echoes here. And the dense deciduous trees form a netting of a verdant ceiling not letting even sunlight pass through. The rocks are covered with moss, and the dead trees are with rows of mushrooms. James asked me to not pick anything from the forests to take it outside, not even a leaf or a dead flower. “Labasa watches,” he whispered. There is a local belief that misfortune awaits you if you try to take something out of the forest. “Labasa can take the form of anything and harm you,” he adds. And I cannot say if that was the presence of something metaphysical, or eerie, or the effect of the folk tales, but I could feel some force around me. Like something was really guarding the forests.

B.Shiva temple :

The Mawsynram Shiva temple, located within the Mawjymbuin caves, is a significant Hindu shrine in Meghalaya. It's famous for its naturally formed Shivalinga, a stalagmite resembling the one in the Amarnath cave. The cave itself is a popular tourist destination, attracting both spiritual seekers and nature enthusiasts. 

Here's a more detailed look:

• Mawjymbuin Cave:

This is the site of the Shiva temple, known for its stunning natural formations, including a giant stalagmite that resembles a Shivalinga. 

• Natural Shivalinga:

The stalagmite is bathed by water dripping from an overhanging stalactite, further enhancing its spiritual significance. 

• Pilgrimage Site:

During the Kanwar Yatra, particularly in the month of Shravan, the cave becomes a major pilgrimage site for Hindu devotees. 

• Accessibility:

The cave can be reached by hiring a bus or a cab. 

My cab met with an accident here clashing another car but to my luck, the driver and myself were save and I moved from the spot to my hotel in another cab.

West Jaintia Hills district -

1.Dawki & Tamabil :

Dawki Integrated Check Post or Dawki border crossing is on Dawki-Tamabil is one of the few road border crossings between India and Bangladesh in West Jaintia Hills district in the state of Meghalaya, India, the corresponding post in Bangladesh is Tamabil post. Dawki ICP foundation stone was laid in January 2017 and will become operation in 2-18. It is used mainly for coal transportation to Bangladesh. Some 500 trucks cross the border every day in peak season.

Some shared transport is available from Iewduh in Shillong to the border post at Dawki every morning. Buses are also available for the 70 kilometres (43 mi) journey from Shillong. On the other side inside Bangladesh the Tamabil bus station, 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) away, has regular bus service to Sylhet 55 kilometres (34 mi) away.

Dawki River, also known as Umngot River, is a popular tourist destination in Meghalaya, India, renowned for its exceptionally clear water and vibrant natural beauty. The river flows through Dawki, a small border town between India and Bangladesh, and is a major attraction for boating, snorkeling, and enjoying the scenic surroundings. 

Here's a more detailed look at Dawki River:

• Location:

Dawki is located in the West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya, near the border with Bangladesh. 

• Water Clarity:

The river is famous for its crystal-clear water, so transparent that the riverbed is visible, and boats appear to float in the air. 

• Activities:

Popular activities include boating, snorkeling, and exploring the lush greenery and surrounding landscapes. 

• Other Attractions:

Dawki also offers attractions like the Church of The Epiphany, the Dawki Bridge, and Tamabil Zero Point. 

• Best Time to Visit:

The best time to visit for the clearest water is from February to May, when the monsoon season has subsided.

This trip was the longest 6 nights solo trip till date and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Travelling to many different locations one contrasting the other was the major highlight. North east India is a gem by itself! History,culture,food,landmarks are beyond imaginary. Root bridges are marvels. Love you Meghalaya.