| State
of India - Meghalaya |
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 QUICK
FACTS Climate
(Degree C.): Summer
- Max: 25, Min: 15,
Winter - Max: 16,
Min: 4 | Best Season:
September - April
| Languages Spoken:
English, Khasi and
Garo | Capital:Shillong
Overview:
Welcome to the 'Abode
of the Clouds', Meghalaya.
The wettest place
on earth, the name
describes the climatic
phenomenon that brings
torrents of rain to
this region. Meghalaya
is a region of great
scenic beauty; a panorama
of lush, undulating
hills, fertile valleys,
exotic flora and fauna,
meandering rivers,
waterfalls, sparkling
mountain streams and
lakes. The state is
home to a number of
tribes like the Khasis,
Jhantias and Garos.
The people here are
simple and jovial
with strong traditional
values. Sports, dance
and music being an
important part of
their lives.
Geography
of Meghalaya:
Meghalaya one of the
seven sister states
of India was carved
out of Assam and got
its statehood on 21st
January 1972. Meghalaya
is landlocked state,
bounded on the north
and east by Assam,
and the south and
west by Bangladesh.
It is divided into
three hilly regions
- the Garo Hills (Western
Meghalaya), the Khasi
Hills (Central Meghalaya)
and the Jaintia Hills
(Eastern Meghalaya).
 History
of Meghalaya:
Little is known about
the history of Meghalaya,
except for the account
of the Khasis Kingdoms.
It is believed the
Khasis were the earliest
immigrants of the
northern Myanmar who
then reached and settled
in East Assam. There
are a number of myths
and findings surrounding
the existence of the
three major tribes
i.e. the Khasis, Jaintias
and Garos. The Garos
are habited in the
western Meghalaya,
the Khasis in central
Meghalaya, and the
Jaintias in eastern
Meghalaya. Each of
the three tribes had
their individual kingdoms,
until the rule of
the British in the
19th century. In 1935
the British incorporated
Meghalaya into Assam.
However, after India's
Independence in 1947,
Meghalaya was given
autonomous status
within Assam. But
this was not enough
for Meghalaya, and
finally after a peaceful
and long struggle,
Meghalaya became a
full-fledged state
in the year 1972.
 Tourist
Places of Meghalaya:
Located between the
Bangladesh and Assam,
Meghalaya is one of
the most picturesque
states in India. Cherrapunjee
and Shillong, the
most famous destinations
in Meghalaya are frequented
by a number of visitors
every year. Cherrapunjee
the wettest place
in the world is known
for highest amount
of rainfall. It rains
throughout the year
in Cherrapunjee. In
Shillong some worth
visiting places include
the Shillong Peak,
Sohpetbneng Peak,
Ward's Lake, Shillong
Cathedral, and Nartiang
- famous for its 500
year old Durga Temple.
Fairs
& Festivals of
Meghalaya:
The fairs and festivals
of Meghalaya are categorized
as per the three distinct
tribes existing in
Meghalaya. The main
festivals in the Khasi
Hills are the Nongkrem
Dance and Shad Suk
Mynsiem which is celebrated
as a gesture of thanks
to the God. There
are a number of festivals
celebrated by the
Garos. Few worth mentioning
are Denbilsia, Wangala,
Rongchugala, Mi Amua,
Mangona, GrendikBa,
Dore Rata Dance and
Chambil Mesara. Wangala
is the most important,
as is considered to
be 'the post-harvest
festival of the Garos'.
The Behdienkhlam festival
of the Jaintias is
based on the socio-economic
life of the tribe
and is a prayer for
prosperity and good
health. Another festival
celebrated in the
Jaintia Hills is Laho
Dance, in which two
men dressed in traditional
costumes; dance on
either sides of a
woman holding arms
together. There is
a third man there
churning out couplets
for the dance keeping
the audience entertained.
Cuisine
in Meghalaya:
The state of Meghalaya
has its own unique
cuisine. Pork is the
staple food in Meghalaya,
and not surprisingly
most of the dishes
are non vegetarian.
The common food of
the people is rice
with meat and fish
preparations. A typical
meal would consist
of rice, one or two
meat/fish dishes and
of course the delicious
dry fish soup. Apart
from rice, millet
and maize with a number
of vegetables and
roots is also eaten.
Like the general practise
of the tribes in the
north-east, the people
here ferment rice
beer known at vat,
which is a must in
all the religious
rites and ceremonial
occasions. Jadoh consisting
of rice and pork is
one of the most common
dishes and is quite
spicy. Shillong is
considered to be the
Mecca of authentic
Chinese food. Some
of the other popular
dishes here are Jadoh,
Ki Kpu, Tung-toh,
and pickled bamboo
shoots
Shopping
in Meghalaya:
Bara Bazar, in Shillong
is the hottest place
for exploring for
souvenirs. Good buys
include mounted butterflies,
handwoven shawls,
orange honey, black
mushrooms, Khasi dresses
for women, pineapple,
orange and other fruit
products. The market
is not just a shopping
place is also a tourist
attraction. Mounted
butterflies are available
at the Butterfly Museum
at Mawkhar. Other
places for shopping
are GS Road, Police
Bazar and Jail Road.
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