Meghalaya Information and Tourist Places
Meghalaya is a small state in north-eastern India. The word “Meghalaya” literally means “The Abode of Clouds” in Sanskrit and other Indic languages. Meghalaya is a hilly strip in the eastern part of the country. The state is bounded on the north by Assam and by Bangladesh on the south. The Shillong is the capital of this state. Meghalaya is predominantly an agrarian economy. The important crops of the state are potato, rice, maize, pineapple, banana etc. The service sector comprises of Real estate and Insurance companies.
Meghalaya is blessed with rich wildlife. The dense forests of Meghalaya are inhabited by many rare species of birds and animal including elephants, Monkeys and birds like Hornbills, Partridges, Teals, Snipes and Quails. Meghalaya is dotted with numerous tourist spots.
Accommodation in Meghalaya:
There are a number of very good hotels in Meghalaya. All of the Meghalaya Hotels are located amidst these splendid natural settings and offer ample scope for the tourists to explore the unknown territories. Some hotels can fairly compete with the luxury hotels in other tourist destinations in comparison to the pomp and glamour. They are grouped into the different categories thus serving the guests according to their own choices and tastes.
The Hotels in Shillong are the most preferred ones since this is a capital city. These hotels are celebrated for the excellent range of facilities and services and at affordable prices. Meghalaya Hotels are celebrated for their strategic location and sense of distinct hospitality and comfort.
Tourist places to visit in Meghalaya
Shillong:
Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya, one of the smallest states in India. It is also the district headquarters of the East Khasi Hills District. Shillong has steadily grown in size and significance in its own traditional way from a mere village as it used to be when it was made the new civil station of the Khasi. Shillong became the capital of Meghalaya and Assam moved its capital to Dispur.
Shillong Peak:
The highest point in Meghalaya, Shillong Peak provides scintillating views of the valley below. This 1,965 meters high peak is venerated as the ‘abode of gods’. There is a shrine dedicated to the deity Lei Shillong at the summit of the peak. Prayers are offered to the deity during the spring season. An ideal spot for picnickers, Shillong Peak is about 10 km from Shillong.
Elephant Falls:
Elephant Falls is situated at the outskirts of the main city of Shillong. Among them the Elephant Falls of Meghalaya holds the prime attention. The unique part of Elephant Falls in Meghalaya is that it is a two-tier waterfall set in the dingles of the rocks. The beauty of Meghalaya Elephant Falls is increased manifold by the two falls-the Wir Phang Falls and the Wei Iaplam Falls.
TuraPeak:
The Tura Peak is one of the major peaks of the Tura range. The Tura range represents one of the chief mountain ranges of the Meghalaya district of West Garo Hills. The Tura range is managed and looked after by the Nokrek National Park.
Food items:
The food and fruits grown in Meghalaya largely influence the eating habits of the people of Meghalaya. The main Meghalaya food comprises of rice along with fish or meat preparations. Among the important fruits grown in Meghalaya are oranges, guava, pineapples, bananas, lemon, etc. The people of Meghalaya rear goats, pig, ducks, fowls and consume their meat. The people in Meghalaya prefer having betel leaf, along with dried tobacco and lime. This north eastern state basically has all the non-vegetarians dishes in the cuisine.
One of the important ingredients in preparing ‘Nakham Bitchi’ is the special dry fish. A typical Garo meal would consist of rice, one or two meat/fish dishes and of course the relishing dry fish soup. ‘Pudoh’ is plain powdered rice stuffed with small pieces of pork and steamed. ‘Putharo’ is again plain powdered rice steamed.
Shopping:
Shopping in Meghalaya is an exhilarating experience since travelers would want to refurnish travelers home with all the exquisite pieces of artwork. These exquisite handicrafts make for good shopping in Meghalaya. Meghalaya is famous for its handicrafts, especially, products made of bamboo and cane. Carpet weaving, designing ornaments, making musical instruments and silk weaving are also great preoccupations of the tribal people of Meghalaya. Various articles like purses, bags and nets are woven from the fiber spun from the pineapple leaves.