Meghalaya Tourism

Meghalaya, the abode of clouds, is one of the most beautiful states in the North-East India offering a variety of sights, activities, food and festivals to the tourists. Well known for Cherapunjji, the place which receives one of the maximum rainfall in the world, Meghalaya can mesmerise you with its hills, valleys, lakes, caves and waterfalls which give it a beautiful look when covered with beautiful clouds.

History
Meghalaya history illustrates that Meghalaya had an eventful past. The history in Meghalaya deals with the various incidents and illustrations that are witness to the rise of Meghalaya as an autonomous state. To begin with the history of Meghalaya it can be said that the Meghalaya has been the homeland of a number of tribes, namely the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia. Till the 19th century, each of the three tribes in Meghalaya, viz. Garo, Khasi and Jaintia, had their independent rule in the different territories of Meghalaya. But the arrival of the Britishers in the political scenario of India changed the plight of these tribal communities in India. In the 19th century, Meghalaya became a counterpart of the British Empire in India. During the British Raj, Meghalaya was annexed under the British Empire. Further in 1935, Meghalaya became a part of Assam: the Britishers incorporated Meghalaya in the territory of Assam. Yet, Meghalaya enjoyed a semi-independent status due to the treaty that was signed between Meghalaya and the British Crown. Moreover, after the Partition of Bengal in 1905, Meghalaya was made a part of the new province that was culled out of Bengal. In 1905, Meghalaya became a part of Eastern Bengal and Assam. Again, in 1912, when the partition was reversed, Meghalaya was clubbed with Assam as a single territory.

Fairs & Festivals
Meghalaya is also known as the Abode of the Clouds, as the name suggests. Since it is located high above the mountains and is covered by the clouds, the name Meghalaya is an apt one. Meghalaya consists of numerous Fairs and Festivals all round the year. If you visit Meghalaya you would feel that like Rabindranath Tagore that “The smile that flickers on baby's lips when he sleeps— does anybody know where it was born? Yes, there is a rumor that a young pale beam of a crescent moon touched the edge of a vanishing autumn cloud, and there the smile was first born in the dream of a dew-washed morning”.

Best Time to Visit
Meghalaya is best visited between October and June. Most tourist destinations in the state receive temperatures that rarely go beyond 30°C, making it a perfect escape between March and June which is the summer season in the country. It is also a favourite during autumn and winters, i.e. from October to November and December to February amongst tourists who come from high or moderate temperature zones. Considered the wettest region in the country, Meghalaya is not often recommended to tourists during peak monsoons. The state receives an average rainfall of 250 cm. The season begins in May and goes on till the end of September or sometimes till mid-October. One can, however, explore the beautiful state in the beginning or by the end of the monsoon season when the rains are not heavy and the terrain is mesmerisingly beautiful.

How to Reach :-

BY AIR - Major airport from Meghalaya is located in Guwahati (Assam) at a distance of 159 km (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport). The airport is well- connected to international cities of Tura and Bangkok along with Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Calcutta. There are no direct bus connection form Guwahati Airport to Meghalaya, but you can hire a cab to reach your destination.

BY RAIL - Nearest railway station from Meghalaya is located in Guwahati (Assam), at a distance of 180 km. Guwahati Junction is connected to New Delhi, Amritsar, Jammu and Kashmir and Bangalore. To reach Meghalaya from Guwahati you can opt for buses or can hire a cab.

BY ROAD - Meghalaya is easily accessible through roads. The roads are mostly smooth and well-frequented with traffic. However, it will be ideal if you could take precautions while driving in heavy monsoon season. Some of the roads get slowed down due to heavy rain.