Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Shillong - The queen of Hill resorts


Shillong (Meghalaya)



Introduction: The city derives its name from Leishyllong the Superpower or God who is believed to reside on the Shillong peak, overlooking the city. he romantic city of Shillong has been one of the important tourist destinations in the northeast. It is often referred to as the ?Scotland of the East? due to its striking similarity with the Scottish highlands. History: Shillong was a small village until 1864, when it became the new civil station of the Khasi and Jaintia hills. It remained the summer capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam for many years. In 1874, on the formation of Assam as a Chief Commissioner?s Province, it was chosen as the capital of the new administration. An earthquake destroyed the city in 1897, necessitating its complete rebuilding. In January 1972, Shillong became the capital of the newly formed state of Meghalaya. Description: Shillong receives heavy rainfalls during monsoon and the rainy season usually lasts longer than rest of India. An umbrella is therefore a necessity while packing your bags. Although people avoid the rainy season, it is generally the time when city is clean (rains wash the streets of all garbage) and waterfalls are in full strength. Most of the Shillong population belong to Khasi tribe, who are predominantly Christian. There are significant Bengali and Nepali minorities. An interesting aspect of Khasis are that they are a matrilineal society - the mother is head of family, youngest daughter owns all the property and mothers surname is passed on to children. 

Shillong Quick facts




  • Shillong Geography and Climate

    Geography: Shillong is located at 25.57� N 91.88� E. It is on the Shillong Plateau, the only major pop-up structure in the northern Indian shield. The city lies in the centre of the plateau and is surrounded by hills, three of which are revered in Khasi tradition: Lum Sohpetbneng, Lum Diengiei and Lum Shillong. Climate: Shillong is subject to vagaries of the monsoon. The monsoons arrive in June and it rains almost until the end of August. The climate is hot and humid during summers but quite cold during winters. October-November and March-April are the best months to visit Shillong.






  • Best time to visit Shillong

    October to November and March to April because the place comes alive after monsoons with sunny days and a little nip in the air that makes quilts inviting as autumn gives way to winter. Spring in Shillong means lovely little flowers everywhere and the most important Khasi festival, Shad Suk Mynsiem. An important October attraction is the Ka Pomblang Nongkrem - virgin dances, goat sacrifices et al.






  • Shillong Orientation

    Shillong is on several hills. Police Bazaar is in the center of town, and the government bus stand, lower-end and middle hotels, restaurants, and shops are located in this area. The northeast area, where Ward?s Lake and the botanical garden are located used to be the British area. Some higher-class hotels are located in this area. About 1� km west of the center of town is Bara Bazaar and the private bus stand.






  • Shillong Near Getaways

    Sacred Forest (or Mawphlang as called locally): These are groves around 25kms away from Shillong. These are considered sacred by Khasis and people were forbidden to enter them earlier. This ensured protection of a dense growth of several kinds of trees including the Khasi pine. The heavily covered grounds around the forests facilitating growth of ferns and orchids most of them endemic.






  • Shillong Distance(s)

    Shillong is 3719 km from Thiruvanathapuram, 3025 km from Srinagar, 2502 km from Shimla, 487 km from Agartala, 2698 km from Ahmedabad, 3120 km from Bangalore, 2148 km from Bhopal, 1731 km from Bhubaneshwar, 2947 km from Mumbai, 1251 km from Calcutta, 2383 km from Chandigarh, 727 km from Darjeeling, 2134 km from Delhi, 725 km from Gangtok, 100 km from Guwahati, 2554 km from Hyderabad, 520 km from Imphal, 514 km from Itanagar, 2164 km from Jaipur, 410 km from Kohima, 1610 km from Lucknow, 2929 km from Chennai, and 3266 km from Panaji.






  • How to reach Shillong by Road

    Both Deluxe and ordinary bus services are available. Meghalaya Road Transport also run regular bus services in Meghalaya.






  • How to reach Shillong by Rail

    Guwahati is the nearest railhead and is well-connected to the rest of the country.






  • How to reach Shillong by Air

    Guwahati is the nearest airport from where Shillong can be reached by bus or car. Daily buses also connect Shillong with Guwahati airport. Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd, under the aegis of the Government of Meghalaya, has commenced regular helicopter flights connecting Shillong and Tura to Guwahati. 

    Shillong Festivals and culture








  • Shillong Festivals

    The festivals vary according to the tribes. Christmas, Easter, Good Friday and the New Year Day celebrations are the most important. Ka Pomblang Nongkrem, or the Nongkrem dance, is one of the most important Khasi festivals. Shad Sukmynsiem is another important festival of the Khasis. Behdiengkhlam, the festival of the Jaintias, is celebrated in July. Wangala is the festival of the Garos and is dedicated to the Sun God






  • Shillong Culture

    Shillong has a blend of cultures, as its populace comprises of the three major tribes and other communities too. A large percentage of the population of Shillong belongs to the Khasi tribe. A Khasi woman usually wears a "jainsem" - two pieces of material pinned at the shoulder and a "tapmohkhlieh" or shawl. Earlier men wore dhotis, a half coat and a turban but this attire has taken a change to the English attire - trousers and blazer or shirt. The Khasi tribe comprises of the various clans comprising of various families sharing the same family name or a group of family names bonded together as a clan. The concept of bonding of clans is to knit families together and to avoid incest. The children take the mother's family name and clan. The father's clan is much respected as they are said to have given life but the children do not take his family's name. The Khasi society is also known as a matrilineal and patriarchal society. This is because the lineage of the family is traced through the mother while the eldest brother has a say in most of the family decisions. After marriage it is the groom who comes and stays at the brides home and after three days they visit the groom's home. Other than the youngest daughter, all other daughters have to build their homes after marriage, though they do get a share of the ancestral property.






  • Shillong Religious Places

    Cathedral of Mary Help of Christian: At Laitumkhrah, it attracts devotees and visitors alike. Sri Ramakrishna Temple, Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong Matri Mandir (Kali Temple), Shillong Sri Ramakrishna Temple, Ramakrishna Mission, Cherrapunjee Mahadev Khola Dham (Shiva Temple), Shillong






  • Shillong Monuments

    Mawjinbuim Cave: Around 50 kms from Shillong, the capital of the state of Meghalaya is the beautiful tourist spot called the Mawjinbuim caves. Apart from the natural beauty it offers a marvel in a cave. There is a stalagmite Shiva Lingam formed here which receives steady drops of water from a stone formed like a breast. 

    Shillong Festivals and culture








  • Shillong Festivals

    The festivals vary according to the tribes. Christmas, Easter, Good Friday and the New Year Day celebrations are the most important. Ka Pomblang Nongkrem, or the Nongkrem dance, is one of the most important Khasi festivals. Shad Sukmynsiem is another important festival of the Khasis. Behdiengkhlam, the festival of the Jaintias, is celebrated in July. Wangala is the festival of the Garos and is dedicated to the Sun God






  • Shillong Culture

    Shillong has a blend of cultures, as its populace comprises of the three major tribes and other communities too. A large percentage of the population of Shillong belongs to the Khasi tribe. A Khasi woman usually wears a "jainsem" - two pieces of material pinned at the shoulder and a "tapmohkhlieh" or shawl. Earlier men wore dhotis, a half coat and a turban but this attire has taken a change to the English attire - trousers and blazer or shirt. The Khasi tribe comprises of the various clans comprising of various families sharing the same family name or a group of family names bonded together as a clan. The concept of bonding of clans is to knit families together and to avoid incest. The children take the mother's family name and clan. The father's clan is much respected as they are said to have given life but the children do not take his family's name. The Khasi society is also known as a matrilineal and patriarchal society. This is because the lineage of the family is traced through the mother while the eldest brother has a say in most of the family decisions. After marriage it is the groom who comes and stays at the brides home and after three days they visit the groom's home. Other than the youngest daughter, all other daughters have to build their homes after marriage, though they do get a share of the ancestral property.






  • Shillong Religious Places

    Cathedral of Mary Help of Christian: At Laitumkhrah, it attracts devotees and visitors alike. Sri Ramakrishna Temple, Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong Matri Mandir (Kali Temple), Shillong Sri Ramakrishna Temple, Ramakrishna Mission, Cherrapunjee Mahadev Khola Dham (Shiva Temple), Shillong






  • Shillong Monuments

    Mawjinbuim Cave: Around 50 kms from Shillong, the capital of the state of Meghalaya is the beautiful tourist spot called the Mawjinbuim caves. Apart from the natural beauty it offers a marvel in a cave. There is a stalagmite Shiva Lingam formed here which receives steady drops of water from a stone formed like a breast. 

    Shillong Tips








  • Shillong Travel Tips

    Meghalaya is not called the 'Abode of the Clouds' for nothing. So carry an umbrella with you at all times, no matter when you go. Travel healthy. Once on the road (or in the air ), take all precautions that will keep you from that running nose, dizzy body temperatures, giddy hangovers etc. Make sure you don't embark on a trip even if there are some early signs of a sickness. While shopping never, never believe the touts (they hang around the tourist-y spots and cities) who promise to take you to the best shop around and get you the best bargain. They usually have their handsome commissions built into the cost. Carry a first aid kit with adhesive bandages, thermometer, water-purification tablets, antibiotics, antiseptic creams and mosquito repellents.






  • Shillong Tourist Offices

    Directorate of Tourism, Govt of Meghalaya Nokrek Building Lower Lachumiere, Shillong Tel: 0364-2226054






  • Shillong ATM's

    The State Bank of India (223-520), Kacheri Rd, near Shillong Club; and Indian Overseas Bank, change US dollars and British pounds and Thomas Cook and American Express TCs.






  • Must do at Shillong

    Take a walk through Iewduh (Bada Bazar) - It is one of the biggest market in North-East India. There are separate areas dedicated to vegetables, fruits, iron works, fish, beef, betel and so on. Visit the State Central Library - Located near Dhankheti, it was started at the time of British Raj and holds many rare books and almanacs. For British searching for clues about ancestors in this area, it is a gold-mine. Unfortunately with time and poor management many books are being lost. Explore the forest around Shillong peak - There are no large or dangerous animals and forest is full of rare and exotic plants - orchids, pines and others including the famous insect eating pitcher plant (Nepenthes khasiana). 
     



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    2 comments:

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      ReplyDelete
    2. Nice informative blog providing complete reference guide for travel India.

      ReplyDelete