Shillong

The Capital of Meghalaya, Shillong is one of the major tourist destinations in North East India. The British loved this place so much that they had established it as the Capital for Eastern Bengal and Assam. For its climate and unique topographical features the British referred to Shillong as the “Scotland Of The East”.

Places to visit

Shillong Peak: It is the highest point of Shillong, located in the upper Shillong Hills at an altitude of 1961 meters (6,433 feet). The name Shillong originated from “Leishyllong”, the god who is believed to live on the Shillong peak, overlooking the city. It is located 5 kilometers away from Shillong and on a clear day one can enjoy the beautiful view of the entire city.

Elephant Falls: Located in the Upper Shillong 10 kms away from the Shillong town, it is one of the truly majestic waterfalls of Meghalaya. The water of this ‘three-step cataract comes down in flows from different levels over the fern-covered rocks and falls into the canyon down below. In the morning it forms a wonderful sight when the sun’s rays fall on the cascades of water creating the colours of the rainbow. The best time to visit the waterfalls is during the monsoon when it offers a breath-taking scene. The forests covered with ferns and thick bamboo grooves are also worth visiting as nature lovers will find there many species of butterflies, birds and orchids.

Barapani (Umiam Lake): As per the legends, two heavenly sisters decided to make their way to Meghalaya. However, only one of them reached the agreed destination, while the other, for some unknown reason, could not. So the former could not trace her sister and started crying with her broken heart. She cried so much that and a lake was formed with her tears. Locally known as Umiam Lake, Barapani means vast waters.

Today it becomes a hub for the water sports activities such as speed boats, sailboats and water scooters. Adjoining to the lake, the Nehru Park offers an aviary and a collection of orchids and butterflies.

Wards Lake: Wards Lake is located in the heart of the Shillong City adjoining to the Governor’s Residence. Shaped like a horseshoe, it is one of the prominent ‘hang-out’ spots in Shillong. This century old lake was built by an engineer named Mr. Pollock. Hence it is also known to be as “Pollok’s Lake”. One can opt for boating and pleasant walks on the cobbled sand stone pathways covered with varieties of flowers. The lake also has an arched bridge from where one can feed the fish.

Cathedral of Mary Help of Christian: Situated in At Laitumkhrah, it is the largest Cathedral in Meghalaya and attracts thousands of devotees. The colourful glasses of the skylight window along with the paintings of the Jesus spreading the messages of God are influenced by European art and architecture.

Shillong Golf Course: Shillong Golf Course is termed (by the United States Golf Association), the “Gleneagle of the East”. The Golf Course is situated in a valley covered with thick groves of pine and rhododendron trees at an altitude of 5200 ft. Previously it was a nine hole course and later converted into a eighteen hole course in 1924 by Captain Jackson and C. K. Rhodes. It is the third oldest Golf Course in India. The Golf Course is situated in a valley covered with thick groves of pine and rhododendron trees at an altitude of 5200 ft. Previously it was a nine hole course and later converted into a eighteen hole course in 1924 by Captain Jackson and C. K. Rhodes. It is the third oldest Golf Course in India.

Lady Hyderi Park: Lady Hydari Park is among the most frequented tourist spots of the region. The park is dedicated to the first lady of the province, Lady Hydari, wife of the Governor of Assam. Lady Hydari Park encompasses a wide variety of local flowering plants and orchids, and is landscaped in Japanese style. Lady Hydari Park is among the most frequented tourist spots of the region. The park is dedicated to the first lady of the province, Lady Hydari, wife of the Governor of Assam. Lady Hydari Park encompasses a wide variety of local flowering plants and orchids, and is landscaped in Japanese style.

Don Bosco Museum: The Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures at DBCIC (Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures) is Asia’s largest Museum of Indigenous Cultures of its kind. In it the visitor can have an overview of the whole of North East India. Rising into Shillong’s skyline the Museum is a seven storey building with 17 well laid out Galleries of international standard containing artefacts, paintings, fibreglass figures – all a feast to the eyes and a source of knowledge. The topmost Gallery is where the visitors can relax and enjoy some of the rare dances of the North East. The Museum is indeed a surprise to visitors both from India and from abroad. Its best publicity are the visitors themselves who come to see it.

Archery in Shillong: Archery is one of the main traditional sports of the Khasi people. In Shillong it is a legalized traditional gambling game! Every day the game takes place near the Polo field. The campus has a small open ground about the size of a tennis court.

There are about 10 huts which represents one team per hut. Each team consists of a small group of archers. Before starting the game they clean their arrows made of pine trees and polish them with care and fondness. They sit in the semi-circle and wait for their chance to shoot the target. Each one of the team has to shoot about 25 shots within five minutes. When the action is over they all collect the arrows from the target for counting. They add up the total and calculate: For example, if the final count is 537, the betting will be for numbers 1 to 9: and the winner in this case will be no.5, as only the first number counts.