|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Facts & Figures |
|
| Area |
22,429 sq km |
| Population |
1,774,778 |
| Annual Rainfall |
2,200-12,000 mm |
| Capital |
Shillong |
| Languages |
Khasi, Garo, English |
| Literacy rate |
48% |
| Per Capita Income |
Rs. 8474 (at current prices in 1997-98) |
| Urbanisation Rate |
18.60% |
| Best Time To Visit |
September to May |
|
Introduction
Meghalaya or the abode in the clouds (megh, cloud; alay, abode or home) is a picturesque but tiny state in the northeastern region of India. As the state remained cut off from mainstream India for a long time due to some ethnic problems, it has been able to survive the onslaught of crass commercialization that has taken over other famous tourist centers of India. As is the name, the state receives heavy rainfall and two of the world’s wettest places are located in Meghalaya. Full of vibrant culture, tradition, great scenic beauty, and tranquility are some of the attractions of the state that can pull any tourist in.
Location
The state of Meghalaya is situated in the northeast region of India, and extends latitude 20°1¢N-26°5¢N and longitude 85°49¢E-92°52¢E. It extends for about 300 km in length and about 100 km in width. It is bounded on the north and east by the Indian state of Assam and on the south and west by Bangladesh.
Physical Features
A compact and isolated state in the northeastern region of India, Meghalaya extends to 22,429 sq km of land. The landscape of Meghalaya is mostly rolling plateau with south-facing slopes being extremely steep. With the hill rising to 2,000 m, the state is cool despite its proximity to tropics. The state abounds in lakes and waterfalls. Meghalaya lies in a severe earthquake belt and it has already faced some of them in the centuries gone by.
Climate
The climate of Meghalaya varies with the altitude. The climate of Khasi and Jaintia Hills is uniquely pleasant and bracing. It is neither too warm in summer nor too cold in winter, but over the plains of Garo Hills, the climate is warm and humid, except in winter. True to its name, the Meghalaya sky seldom remains free of clouds. The average annual rainfall is about 1,150 cm.
Flora and Fauna
Around 30% of total land in Meghalaya is under forest cover. Depending on the varied scales of rainfall at different parts of the year and at different altitudes and places, both tropical and temperate vegetation occur in Meghalaya. Different parts of many plants growing in Meghalaya have been put to medicinal use. The forests of Meghalaya are a rich source of timber and the bulk of timber for trade originates from private forests. Timber trade forms an integral and vital element in the economy of Meghalaya. Some of the important tree species, which yield valuable timber for trade, are Khasi pine, sal, teak, and bamboos. The forests of Meghalaya are a treasure house of valuable products such a timber, fuel wood, fodder, resin, tannin, gums, shellac, fiber, latex, essential oils, fats, edible fruits, honey and a large number of medicinal plants. Meghalaya is a storehouse of richly varied and colorful orchids with as many as 325 species, which grow all over the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo Hills in the meadows, hill-slopes, and swamps, even on the wayside.
History
There is not much information on the history of Meghalaya apart from accounts of the more important Khasi kingdoms in the chronicles of the neighboring Ahoms and Kacharis. The first written history of the state came into existence only after the British tried to construct a rail line through this area to connect Bengal and Assam that ultimately led to a treaty with the Khasi principality of Nonkhlaw. However, with the treaty came opposition, which forced the ruler to repudiate the treaty in 1829. This led to direct confrontation between Khasis and the British and by 1830s, the local rulers had submitted to the latter. The tribes continued their practices in seclusion until rulers of the region acceded to the newly independent country of India. The region was included in the united province of Assam for administrative reason, which led to the agitation by the local population. The region was accorded full statehood on January 21, 1972.
People
Ethnicity
Predominantly tribal, the original inhabitants of this state are Khasis, Jaintias, and Garos. Khasis and Jaintias trace their ancestry to the Mongolian race, while the Garos belong to the Tibeto-Burman race. Their cultural traits and ethnic origins remain distinctive, mainly due to their geographical isolation. The Khasi language spoken here is believed to be one of the few surviving dialects of the Mon-Khmer family of languages in India.
A common cultural tradition of all the tribes of Meghalaya is the matriarchal law of inheritance by which custody to property and succession of family position runs through the female line, passing from the mother to the youngest daughter, instead of the male line as is common elsewhere in the country.
Short, muscular, and robust, the tribal people of Meghalaya are sociable, cheerful, hardworking and great lovers of music and beauty. The common food of the people is rice with meat and fish preparations. Rice beer is a favorite drink among the men folk.
The majority of the population here has converted to Christianity, while non-Christians continue to worship, and practice old cultural beliefs. Colorful dances and festivals of the tribal folk vary according to the region and tribe to which they belong.
Arts and Crafts
The people of Meghalaya are famous for their weaving skills and creating cane mats, stools, and baskets. They make a special kind of cane mat called tlieng, which guarantees a good utility of around 20-30 years. The Garos weave the material used for their costumes called the dakmanda. Khasis and Jaintias also weave cloth. The Khasis have also been involved in extracting iron ore and manufacturing domestic knives, utensils and even guns and other warfare weapons.
Music and Dance
The Garos generally sing folk songs relating to birth, marriage, festivals, love, and heroic deeds to the accompaniments of different types of drums and flutes.
The Khasis and Jaintias are particularly fond of songs praising nature like lakes, waterfalls, hills, etc., and expressing love for their land. They use different types of musical instruments like drums, duitara, and instruments similar to guitar, flutes, pipes, and cymbals.
Both males and females perform the Lahoo Dance. Attired in their best finery, usually two young men on either side of a woman, holding arms together, dance in step. In place of the usual drum and pipe, a cheerleader, usually a man gifted with the talent of impromptu recitation, recites couplets to the merriment of the audience.
Doregata Dance is another interesting dance where, while dancing, the women try to knock off the turbans of their male partner using their head. If the women succeed, it is followed by peals of laughter.
The Chambil Mesara or Pomelo Dance is a solo dance-form that requires skill. The performer dangles a pomelo (a cord tied to the waist) and then hurls it around without any perceptible movement of the hips. Expert dancers can hurl two separate fruits hung on a cord.
Fairs and Festivals
Wangala (or dance of hundred drums) festival is an important event of the Garos. This festival marks the end of a period of toil, heralding a yield of good harvest. It is performed in honor of ‘Satyong’, the God of fertility. People, young and old, dressed in their in their colorful costumes and feathered head dress, dance to the beat of long cylindrical drums. Held annually in November, the festival lasts for a week.
Nongkrem Dance is a religious festival marked by thanksgiving to Almighty God for good harvest, peace, and prosperity of the community. It is held annually during October/November at Smit, the capital of the Khyrim Syiemship near Shillong. Men and women, both married and unmarried, perform the dance in the open. The women dressed in expensive silk costumes with heavy gold, silver, and coral ornaments dance in the inner circle of the arena. The men form an outer circle and dance to the accompaniment of music of flutes and drums. An important feature of the festival is the ‘Pomblang’ or goat sacrifice offered by the subjects to the Syiem of Khyrim, the administrative head of the Hima (Khasi state). Ka Syiem Sad, the eldest sister of the king, is the chief priest and caretaker of all ceremonies. The festival is conducted along with the Myntries (ministers), priests, and high priest where offerings are made to ancestors of the ruling clan and the deity of Shillong.
One of the most important festivals of the Khasis is Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem (or dance of the joyful heart). It is an annual thanksgiving dance held in Shillong in April. Men and women, dressed in traditional fineries, dance to the accompaniment of drums and the flute. The festival lasts for three days.
Behdiengkhlam, celebrated annually in July after the sowing period, is the most important dance festival of the Jaintias. Young men make a symbolic gesture of driving away of the evil spirit, plague, and pestilence by beating of the roof of every house with bamboo poles. In addition, poles of great length are held across the stream Wah-Ait-Nar. People jump on the poles and break them while dancing in the muddy pool of water. A large pole is placed across the stream and two groups contend for the possession of the pole. This festival is also an invocation to God seeking his blessings for a good harvest. The women, however, do not participate in the dancing, as they have an important function of offering sacrificial food to the spirits of the ancestors.
Attire
The three major tribes of Meghalaya have distinct costumes and jewelry. The traditional costume of this place is the ‘Jainsem’ and the ‘Dhara’, though the younger generation has now taken to Western clothes.
Cuisine
The people of Meghalaya are very fond of Jadoh-a nourishing Biriyani clone. It is prepared with rice and pork. Another important cuisine is Pukhlein, a bland rice cake taken with piping hot tea. Ktungrymbai is a pungent mix of fermented beans and spices that adds the flavor to the simplest meal or festive spread.
Economy
Infrastructure
The state is well linked with a good road network. However, it is not connected by railway network. The only airport in the state is located at Umroi in Shillong
| Facts & Figures of Pondicherry |
|
| Phone services |
DoT |
| Domestic airports |
1 (Shillong) |
| Cities linked |
Calcutta, Guwahati |
| State-identified priority sectors |
Agro and horticulture, electronic components,
mineral-based |
|
Industry
Bakeries, furniture making, iron and steel fabrication, tailoring, knitting, etc., are the major industries of Meghalaya.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the single largest source of livelihood of the majority of the rural masses and is also the mainstay of the state’s economy. Besides the major food crop of rice and maize, Meghalaya is renowned for its oranges, pineapple, banana, jackfruits, and temperate fruits like plum, pears, and peaches.
Incentives
Capital subsidy of 25%, up to Rs 25 lakh, of fixed assets in the region
Reimbursement of sales tax paid on purchase and installation of plant and machinery
40% subsidy, up to Rs 7.5 lakh, on power tariff for first five years
90% subsidy on cost of transportation outside the north-east region
Tourist Centers
Shillong is the capital of the state and the largest city. The city is situated in the Khasi Hills. Shillong is the place to enjoy everything, starting from events, sightseeing, recreation, shopping, or unwinding oneself in a bar. The city has a character which can be felt only after exploring around the city.
Cherrapunji (58 km from Shillong), about two hours south of Shillong, was once the wettest place on earth. This honor is given today to Mawsynram, a stone throw further west. The area is lush green with waterfalls and an extensive underground cave network.
A popular picnic spot is the Mawjinbuim Cave (55 km off Shillong) where there is a stalagmite in the form of a Shiva lingam receiving steady drops of water from a stone formed like a breast.
Jowai, the second biggest town in Meghalaya, is situated in the district of the Jaintias. It is the gateway to Nartiang, a delightful village further north that has a bizarre collection of druid stones. Today, it is an interesting park but a decade ago, human sacrifices were carried out. The most dominating piece rising up to the sky with red spots on the gray granite carries the story of a boy who was tricked into a trap, offering his life to please the gods. Take a walk through the charming village. There is a monument dedicated to the first freedom fighter hanged by the British in 1862. It is situated by a river surrounded by fields and pine forests and is inviting for a relaxing day’s walk.
Other places to visit are Jakrem (66 km from Shillong), Nawphlang, Ranigodam, and Balpakram National Park.
How To Reach
By Air
Guwahati (100 km from Shillong) is the nearest airport connecting Meghalaya to the outer world. Shillong has an airport, but it is not connected by regular flights.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Guwahati, which is well connected to the rest of the country..
By Road
From Shillong there are state transport corporation buses from the Police Bazaar stand every half hour to Guwahati and Silchar. Private coaches are also available. Hiring a taxi is the best option to get around the state.
Distances of some importance places in Meghalaya from Shillong are: Umiam Lake, 17 km; Sohpetbneng Peak, 20 km; Cherrapunji, 56 km; Mawsynram, 56 km; Jakrem, 64 km; Syndai, 100 km; Nartiang, 65 km; Thadlaskein Lake, 56 km; Jowai, 64 km; Williamnagar, 289 km; Tura, 235 km; Siju Cave, 464 km; and Balpakram, 492 km.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Not One Size Fits all |
| We Offer tailor-made India tour Packages. |
| Ask us to CUSTOMIZE your holiday |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Largest Collection Of |
|
| India Tour Packages |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
