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Golf
Links
Shillong's Golf Course is considered one of
the best in India. It is situated in the center
of the city, close to the polo ground. It was
established in 1898, by a group of British Civil
Service officers. Golfers from all over the
world come here to test their skills.
Lady
Hydari Park
Lady Hydari Park was named after the wife of
Sir Akhbari Hydari, the first Indian Governor
of Assam who assumed charge on the eve of independence.
It has a very attractive garden and the best
months to see the flowers in bloom are April
to October. Next to the park, is a mini zoo,
where many species of birds and animals are
kept.
Museum
of Entomology
This place is a treasure house of various kinds
of exquisite Meghalayan butterflies and insects,
some of which are bred and reared by naturalists
and then preserved. The most beautiful and sought
after Meghalayan butterfly is 'Kaiser-I-Hind'.
Shillong
Peak
Forested Shillong Peak, at 1,965 metres above
sea level, acts as a vast catchment area. A
steep winding road goes right to the top of
the peak. On a clear day, you can see the Himalayan
peaks and plains of Sylhet from the summit.
Ward's
Lake
This artificial lake located in Shillong received
its name from Sir William Ward, Chief Commissioner
of Assam in 1893-94, because he took a personal
interest in beautifying it.
Waterfalls
In and around Shillong, there are numerous waterfalls,
especially during the monsoon when they run
in milky white torrents: Bishop Falls, Elephant
Falls, Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Falls, Crinoline
Falls and Beadon Falls are best known. Bishop
or Suna Pani Falls are located west of Mawprem
in Shilong. They are 135 metres high and particularly
impressive in monsoon. The beautiful Elephant
or Umdiengpun Falls are enroute to Sadew, 12
kilometres from Shillong City.
Cherrapunjee
Cherrapunjee
has a rich historical heritage and was the first
British outpost in this part of the country.
Sohra is the original Khasi name for Cherrapunjee.
It is 1300 metres above sea level and 56 kms
from Shillong. This place is one of the rainiest
rain-belts in the world. A pleasant drive to
see roaring waterfalls leaping into deep gorges,
including the famed Nohsngithiang Falls. The
lovely town is also famous for its limestone
caves and orange honey. Centre of Khasi culture
and literature, it also has the oldest Presbyterian
Church and also an establishment of the Ramakrishna
Mission.
Mawsynram
56
Kms from Shillong, it is known for the giant
stalagmite formation shaped into a Shivalinga,
called locally as 'Mawjymbuin'.
Jakrem
64
kms from Shillong, a popular health resort having
hot-springs of sulphur water, believed to have
curative medicinal properties.
Monoliths in Khasi
Hills
In
the Khasi Hills are a number of ancient monoliths
and table stones, which are either memorials
where the ashes of the dead are deposited in
cairns or cenotaphs, commemorating memorable
events. The upright stones represent men generally
and are of considerable size, sometimes projecting
6 metres (20 feet) or more above ground.
Jowai in Jaintia
Hills
The
most important town in the Jaintia Hills district
is Jowai, 1,380 metres above sea level, situated
64 kms from Shillong. The annual festival of
Behdeinkhlam is celebrated in great style in
Jowai. En-route from Shillong to Jowai, one
passes through grassy meadows, colourful graveyards,
rice terraces, woods of oak or whispering pine
and the meandering Myntdu River.
Nartiang
This
is located in the Jaintia Hills about 65 kms
from Shillong and 24 kms from Jowai. There are
clusters of monoliths in Nartiang that are among
the tallest anywhere in the world.
Tura in Garo Hills
The
district headquarters of the West Garo Hills
is Tura, which is situated 657 metres above
sea level. Tura has a picturesque landscape
of hills overlooking the sweeping curves of
the mighty Brahmaputra River on the plains below.
The Tura Peak is very close to town and it is
the ideal place for rock climbers, hikers and
naturalists.
-:FAIRS
& 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.
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SHILLONG-GENERAL
INFORMATION
Population:
132, 876
Languages:English,
Hindi, Khasi, Garo, Assamese
Best time to visit
:October-November and March-April
STD Code:
0364
Location
The
capital of Meghalaya, Shillong lies on
the eastern part of the state. Perched
at an altitude of 1,520 meters (4,990
feet) above sea level, the city stretches
for about 6 km on an elevated tract. It
is situated on a plateau bound on the
north by the Umiam gorge, on the northwest
by the great mass of the Diengiei Hills
that rise up to a height of 1,823 meters
(6077 ft.) above sea level, and on the
northeast by the hills of the Assam valley.
The Umshyrpi and the Umkhra rivers, which
finally merge and form the Umiam River,
water it. Shillong is at distance of 104
km from Guwahati, 295 km from Kaziranga,
578 km from Siliguri and 658 km from Darjeeling.
The climate is hot and humid during summers.
The monsoons arrive in June and it rains
almost until the end of August. It is
quite cold during winters.
Travel Information
In
order to visit Shillong a restricted Area
Permit is required by the foreigners.
Details of the same may be obtained either
from the Foreigners' Registration Office
at New Delhi or the Meghalaya Information
Center at Kolkota.
Shopping
Good
buys in Shillong include mounted butterflies,
hand-woven shawls, orange honey, black
mushrooms, Khasi-style jewelry and handcrafted
bamboo objects.
Accomodation
Accommodation
is easily available in Shillong. There
are various hotels that cater to the needs
of the travelers in Shillong. You can
easily reserve accommodation in the hotel
that suits your budget.
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