::::::COME, FALL IN LOVE WITH SHILLONG ---- MY LOVELY BIRTHPLACE ::::::
Northeast India is known by its scenic beauty. Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram are the states, which complete the beauty of Northeastern India.The land of lash green meadow and forever monsoon,that?s Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. It used to be the capital of Assam from 1874 to 1972. Shillong is located at an altitude of 1496 meters above sea level in the hills of eastern sub-Himalayas.
The name ?Shillong? was derived from ?Leishyllong?, the Superpower or God. This beautiful hill station is compared with Scotland like the way Kashmir is compared with Switzerland. This hill station is connected by a long road in between high hills and deep elevations with the rest of the country through Guwahati, Silchar and Garo Hills. The nearest airport is at Umroi, 30 km. from Shillong, which connects this lovely city by air with the rest of the country.
Guwahati to Shillong: A journey from the plains to hills
In order to reach this beautiful hill station you have to take the car/ MTDC?s bus (Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation) from Guwahati. The journey is superb and it will give you the pleasure to its core. As the road goes, you can see trees allover. You will see the great ?Barapani? lake while going to Shillong. The scenic beauty is excellent, especially if it rains! After 3-4 hours, you will reach Shillong safely.
Hidden beauties of Shillong : The places to visit
You can take a car to visit these places. I would suggest you to start with the highest place of Shillong ? the Shillong Peak. If the sky is clear and there is no silver lining, then you can see the top view of the city. This is 1965 meters above the sea level and about 10 km from the city itself.
There is a lovely lake covered with different flowers, plants and trees. Ward?s lake, you can feel happy by feeding the colourful fishes there. The location is great, you can enjoy boating as well as watching the fishes there.
There is a beautiful garden jest nearby, which is called as The Botanical Garden. As the name suggests, various trees and plants complement it to the fullest.
A beautiful rose garden is named after the wife of an Ex-Governor of Shillong --- Lady Hydari Park.Your kids will definitely enjoy the company of you along with the deer. Even the mini zoo will entertain you as long as you are here.
Shillong is a place of Waterfalls. There are different waterfalls in and around this small but lovely hill station. If you step into Shillong then watching these falls are ?a must? for you. There are too many waterfalls in and around Shillong. Bishop and Beadon falls, Elephanta Falls, Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Fallsetc. Shillong is rich in having caves, too. The way from one side to another of the caves is challenging, exciting and enjoyable.
The Cathedral is also very nice, it is calm and quite as expected. Whatever may be your region, you will always find peace there.
Shillong is famous for having the biggest natural Golf course of Asia. The greenery of this place is hard to find anywhere else. Anyone who would visit this place once would definitely love to go again and again. The beauty would isolate you from the rest of the world. Moreover, you will love the oneness with this place.
Shillong : The city
The city itself attracts the tourists for its innocent views and natural beauty. When you reach the city, your car will drop you at Police Bazar at that?s the heart of the city and most of the hotels are situated there. This is the market as well as the best hang out for all. You can buy local made things from the emporium and from roadside also. The market may be very small but the collection of dresses, shoes, accessories, warm clothes, gifts, bamboo made items etc. are plenty.
Have a look at ?Glory?s Plaza? which is actually run by the Bhutanese people. This market is mainly famous for western outfits and accessories.
Shillong : the only matriarchal society in Northeast
Khasis are the main local people here.This is an interesting fact that Shillong is a female dominated society. One thing I like about this place most is that, the women go to office in the daytime and work in the evening. These works include selling fishes and vegetables to clothes and accessories. Even you will find them in the beer shops, too. I guess other than Kerala it is only Shillong where the guy leaves his parents and goes to the girl?s home to stay after marriage.
I?ve been to many hill stations but Shillong attracts me the most. May be because I was born there! Or may be because I can touch the clouds there!! Whatever it is, I?m sure that anyone would fall in love immediately with the scenic beauty, the greenery and the simplicity of the town. It is small but the people are emotionally attached with each other. They celebrate Durga Puja and Christmas together with high enthusiasm and great belief.
Roads to reach the top
It is not so tough to reach the top even if you are not from India. if you are a foreigner here, then you should try to reach Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata first. Then you can reach Guwahati by air. It will cost you around 6000 to 8000 Rupees for an one way air ticket. Enjoy the journey from Guwahati to Shillong in an AC or non-AC car/ bus by spending Rs. 100 to Rs. 1200 (depends upon the kind of transports you avail).
Shillong is a place to relax, to take deep breath and visit some excellent picturesque. It would take minimum 1 week to see all the places there. Then you can visit Cherrapunjee (56 kms) and Dwaki (86 kms.) too. Cherrapunjee is called as the place of ?Rain Gods?.
You can take the MTDC tour packages to visit in and around of Shillong. If you are confident enough then just book a car and explore the places yourself. Whatever suits you better is just perfect for you. Whatever way, you should go there to feel the ups and downs, the free flowing falls and the inner beauty of Shillong.
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