Shillong, March 4: As the people have started to visit different places after a gap of nearly two years when the pandemic hit the world, many tourists are also heading towards the North Eastern state of Meghalaya.
While there are many places to visit in Meghalaya as a tourist, five destinations are a must visit for a traveller.
Umngot or Dawki River
Photos of the pristine and crystal clear Dawki River continue to go viral on social media time and again. The river is so clear that pebbles and fishes are clear to the naked eye. The beauty of the water body increases manifold when the sun shines making the boats appear like floating on water. Lush greenery on either side of the river makes it a fairyland where tourists do not forget to visit when they are in Meghalaya. The best time to visit the Dawki river is from November to May.
Umiam Lake, Shillong
A man-made lake created in the 1960s by building a dam over the Umian River, it attracts many tourists while they are in Meghalaya. Located close to the fertile East Khasi Hills, tourists and locals visit the lake during sunrise and sunset to witness the majestic view. Visitors can do boating, canoeing and can also ride water scooters at the lake. Best time to visit the lake is from March to June.
Elephant Falls, Shillong
It is not just one but three falls that the visitors see at the site. Named after an elephant shaped rock during the British era, the Elephant Falls in Shillong is a major tourist attraction for people from across the country. The original name for the falls is ‘Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew’, which means three step waterfall. It comprises three waterfalls including the first which is hidden in trees while second is a weak stream of water. Water in the third fall comes from a height and falls on rocks. The best time to visit Elephant Falls is from January to April.
Mawsmai Caves, Cherrapunji
Mawsmai Cave is located close to Cherrapunji and is a major attraction for tourists coming from different parts of the country. The cave becomes narrow at some places where a visitor needs to crawl which adds to the thrill of the tourists. However, the cave is considered to be safe. Meghalaya has several cave systems and ten of the longest caves are located in the state. The best time to visit Mawsmai Caves is from August to September.
Nohkalikai Waterfalls, Cherrapunji
With a height of 340 meters, Nohkalikai Waterfalls is known to be the country’s tallest plunge falls. The waterfall is located just 5 Km from the main town. This is one of the most popular places to visit in Cherapunji. Noh Ka Likai, in local Khasi language, means ‘the leap of Likai’. The best time to visit the waterfalls is during the monsoon season or August-October.