Cherrapunji is known as the wettest place on earth. As we studied in our geography class also.
Due to this, the image of Cherrapunji that was created in our mind was such that it is an area where it rains all the time.
If you go there, you will only get to see the rain. But our assumption was soon proved wrong and we came to know that in fact, Cherrapunji is not such a place at all.
Like other parts of the country, it rains here only during the rainy season. The only difference is that during this time it rains more than any other place on earth.
In fact, we were very surprised to know that there is a complete draught in the winter season, due to which the region has to go through a serious water problem.
Could hardly be more ironic than this – the wettest place on Earth gets months of drought every year. After knowing all this, the same question was arising in my mind again and again, whether the people of this area ever tried to adopt the methods of water harvesting or not.
And if he would have tried, did he have to face any kind of difficulties, or would he have adopted it as a gift of nature and his fate. Whatever it may be, life is very difficult for these people on both sides – even when it rains and even when it doesn’t rain.
Best waterfall in India – Nohkalikai Waterfall, Cherrapunji
You always find clouds around you while walking in Cherrapunji. Here you can actually walk among the clouds, and feel and smell them on your skin. These clouds not only do fun and pranks with you but also keep presenting new views for you every moment.
Sometimes these clouds camouflage the waterfall itself, due to which you have to be satisfied just listening to its sound.
But every now and then they pique your curiosity by showing you a small glimpse of the waterfall and then suddenly disappearing from your sight, leaving you in solitude for some time to admire this beautiful waterfall falling into the deep blue lake. Huh. Nohkalikai Falls is about 1100 feet in height, which makes it the highest and best waterfall in India.
Another specialty here is the colorful flowers that you can see everywhere. Whether it is on the side of the road, in the valley or in the courtyard of each of the houses settled here, you can see different types of flowers everywhere.
Seeing these flowers, it does not seem as if they have been forced here, but these flowers are also an integral part of the nature like these hills, clouds and humans. During our entire journey, we got to see different types of, colorful and beautiful flowers here which are rare elsewhere.
Hilly area – an abundance of nature
The white or gray clouds scattered in the open blue sky, the green hills and the colorful flowers here, all magnifying each other with their bright colors, were making these views even more attractive.
There are many waterfalls scattered here and there on the hills surrounding Cherrapunji. No matter where you are in the valley, you will either hear the sound of a waterfall around you, or you will definitely see a waterfall.
Some of these waterfalls are part of the standard itinerary, which takes you to visit them and tell some interesting stories related to them.
These straight standing springs fall in the narrow path situated between the hills and then flowing through this route reach the deep parts of the valley and assume the form of a river.
If seen from the top of the hills, these rivers look like a thin line of water flowing through these green slopes.
Sometimes you are surprised at the immense power of this small, delicate river, which flows through these rocky mountains and makes its own way.
And all of a sudden, you begin to envy his freedom to go anywhere and his ability to transcend boundaries. Most of the rivers flowing here go into the neighboring nation of Bangladesh.
Anecdotes and myths are an integral part of human life. One such story is related to the Nohkalikai Waterfalls of Cherrapunji, behind which a very sad story is hidden behind its name.
It is believed that a woman named Ka Likai had accidentally eaten her own daughter years ago, after which she committed suicide by coming here. After this incident, this waterfall came to be known as Nohkalikai.
Anecdotes related to the monolithic rock of 200 feet
There is a huge structure made of monolithic rock of 200 feet, which looks like an overturned Khasi basket.
It is said that this basket belonged to a giant demon who always troubled people. Once all the people together fed him food made of nails and killed him.
According to this anecdote, the demon was destroyed, but his basket was left here lying upside down, which is still standing here in the form of a rock.
The way this rock with its peaked top stands amidst these hills and plains, you cannot live without believing this anecdote.
Mosmai Caves
There are about 788 caves in Meghalaya, most of which are either not found on the map or have not been discovered yet.
Some of these are the longest caves located in India. Of all these caves, Mosmai Caves are the most famous caves.
Many people come to see these caves as they are situated at a short distance from Cherrapunji.
The paved stairs built here take you to the entrance of the cave. As soon as you reach the entrance of the cave, you will see a huge chamber-like structure in front, which leads you to a narrow passage.
Only one person can pass through this route at a time. After crossing this passage, you again get a huge chamber, from where you reach the other end of the cave as soon as you exit.
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Such natural structures always fascinate you towards the diversity of nature. But looking at the condition of this cave, you can guess how much care it must have been. Around this cave you will see dense forests in which only wild trees and plants are there.
By the time we reached the Mosmai Caves, it was evening and it was raining at the same time. Coming to Cherrapunji, after spending a whole day dry and dry, we were now coming to know his true identity, that is, the experience of his wetness. With this shower of rain, it seemed as if our journey to Cherrapunji was truly over.
Sohra – Renaming of Cherrapunji These types of natural structures always fascinate you towards the multiplicity of nature.
But looking at the condition of this cave, you can guess how much care it must have been. Around this cave, you will see dense forests in which only wild trees and plants are there. By the time we reached the Mosmai Caves,
it was evening and it was raining at the same time. Coming to Cherrapunji, after spending a whole day dry and dry, we were now coming to know his true identity, that is, the experience of his wetness. With this shower of rain, it seemed as if our journey to Cherrapunji was truly over.
Renaming of Sohra – Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji is now officially known as Sohra, which used to be its original name. Apparently the name Cherrapunji was given to him by the British. Here are some places from where you can see some parts of Bangladesh.
The surprising thing is that wherever cultivation is done in a mountainous region like Sohra, the hills suddenly turn into broad plains.
In Sohra there is an ashram attached to the Ramakrishna Mission, which has a temple and a museum on the north-east side. Photos of all the waterfalls in this area are displayed in this museum.
Some information about their history related to them has also been presented to them. Some pictures related to this area are shown on the walls of the main building of this ashram. The temple is situated just behind this building.
There is also a small weaving center, where some young men and women were weaving according to their traditional rituals. The women here were also seen selling cinnamon and tea in traditional Khasi attire.
facilities for tourists
Despite being such a famous tourist place, there are no facilities of tourist requirements here. Unless you have stayed in one of the few well-known hotels here, you are not going to get the right food a single time here.
Most of the people come here only for a day trip during their Shillong trip, so it is very important to have some good eateries here, where one can get good original food. For now, you will find only small shops here, where some food items are sold.
But it is difficult to find even a good tea in this area, which is just a few blocks away from the land of tea.