Capital – Shillong – Area—22429 square kms. Population – 2306069. It is 0.22% of the total population of India. Male— 1167840, Female—1138229. From 1991-2000 growth of population 29.94%. Density of population per square km is 103. 975 female against 1000 male. This state is 22nd in area and in population it is 23rd in India. Rate of literacy is 63.31%. Major language is Khasi, Jayantia and Garo. Bangle is spoken throughout the state. like Bangla Hindi and English are also spoken. Meghalaya is situated in between 25 degree-26.15 degree latitude and 89.45 degree-92.87 degree in longitude. Temperature – 23.3 degree – 15 degree Celsius in summer and in winter it is between 15.6 degree -3.9 degree Celsius. Average rainfall is 100-1270 centimeter annually. Duration of rainy season is from May to September. In winter heavy woolen garments are necessary. Touring season is from March to July and again from September to November. One can tour Meghalaya by seven days. It is better to club Meghalaya with Assom for tour.
The word Meghalaya means the abode of the clouds. It is the paradise of the clouds. It is the 21st state of India. The whole of the state is hilly. It is situated 1200 to 1965 meters from sea level. It has two national parks- Nokrek and Balpakram and two wild life sanctuaries—Nongkhyllem and Siju. Meghalaya is a combination of mountains, forests, wavy mountains, beautiful cascades; pearl-green lakes and variety of orchids made the state a paradise on Earth.
The state is rich in fruits and flowers. Forest is dense in Meghalaya. There is diversity of flora and fauna. Thousands of different species of Moth and butterfly along with different kinds of orchids are seen in the state. 300 kinds of orchids are available in Meghalaya.
The state of Meghalaya comprises three parts—namely Khasi, Jayantia and Garo. Their dialects are different from one another. But they use Roman scripts. In the past before the advent of the British, they had separate kingdoms. After the coming of the British, three parts were amalgamated in the 19th century. The Garos were originally inhabitants of Tibet. Later on, they settled in Garo hills. Man sacrifice was in vogue in Garo society, even the human sculls lay hung in their houses. The Khasis came from the southern part of China and settled in central Meghalaya that is in Shillong and CherraPunji, their creation—Monolithic Pillars—in memoriam of the dead – is still found on way to Cherrapunji in central Meghalaya. In east Meghalaya in the Jayantia hills the Jayantia tribes reside. They are the off springs of the Mongolians. They resemble Shaan tribes of Myanmar. They are fond of flowers. At every household there are flower gardens in Meghalaya. They love songs very much. People of Meghalaya use guitars with songs. They are of robust health. They are very much friendly. Their society is matriarchal till today. Domestic system is run by matriarch. The youngest daughter is the leader of the home. She is also the heir to the property. Sons and daughters adopt the surname of their mother.
Shilong is the main center of Khasi culture. Smit village is 15 kms away from Shilong where a grand carnival is held from November to October every year in memory of their ancient Kingdom—Hima for the 5 days on NH 44. The festival is called is Nongkrem dance which greatly attracts tourists. In April, Seng Khasi holds their 2 day festival called Shad Suk Mynsiem dance in Shilong. The object of this festival is to rouse nationalism. The Garos celebrate their festival of harvest by beating 100 drums called Wangala in November. The Jayantias observe festival of harvest in July by dancing the dances of Laho and Behdeinhlam. They are fond of Jado- fried rice mixed with meat of pigs. They prefer cakes made of boiled rice called pumlay, a variety of idli which is largely eaten in south India.
The only road connecting the rest of India Goes via Guwahati, Shilong was once the capital of undivided Assam. Meghalaya is bounded by Mymensingh and Sylhet districts of Bangaladesh on the southern side, on the west it borders with Bangladesh too. On the east it is bounded by Cachar district of Assam and on the north it is bounded by Goalpara and Kamrup district of Assam.
Shilong:— Umray is the Airport of Shilong. Guwahati Airport is 127 kms away from Shilong. Tourists from Delhi have to reach Guwahati enroot Shillong. From Guwahati Airport one can go to Shillong by boarding the buses of Meghalaya State Transport Corporation. Cabs are also available from Guwahati city. There is also helicopter service from Guwahati. Nearest RLY station is Guwahati also.
A bus stand opposite to Guwahati RLY station is used by Meghalaya Road Transport Corporation and Assam state Transport Corporation from where buses to ply to Shillong which is 103 kms away from Guwahati. At regular intervals buses ply. It takes near about 4 hours to reach Shillong. A decent hilly road is with pine and far trees on either side of national Highway 44. Clouds float in the sky and at any moment fog may enter the bus through the windows. Taxi without meter carries passengers from point to point. There is city bus service in Shillong. But it is nice to see the city on foot and enjoy the natural sights and sounds.
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