Nisha Mordani’s Blog

Shillong……to many the name does not ring any bell at all…and rightfully so ! So,here goes

Shillong is the most beautiful hill station,situated in the North East of India. It is one of the bigger hill stations and….and covers an area of 10.36 kms.It is the capital of the smallest state in India,which is, Meghalaya.According to the 2001 census Shillong has a population of 26000….the ratio of male and female being 50:50…..11% of the population consists of children below the age of 11. Christianity is the dominant religion in the city.

Meghalaya attained statehood in 1972….prior to that Shillong was the capital of Assam. Shillong is situated at an altitude of 1496 meters above sea level.It is often referred to as “The Scotland Of The East” because of it’s similarities to the terrain of Scotland.

Shillong does not have a railroad.The nearest railway station and airport are situated at Guwahati,which is 120 kms away.Shillong and Guwahati are connected by a winding road.Buses and taxis are easily available at reasonable rates . The three hour drive is breathtaking….with greenery all around !

The local people who are “Khasis” are very friendly and helpful people.They follow the matrilineal system . They love music and sing beautifully. Most of them believe in herbal medicines and toil hard to obtain the necessary plants and herbs to make the medicines.These medicines help to cure a lot of chronic diseases.

We have the expert masseurs and massage ladies.By their expert and gentle massage,using herbal oils, which are made locally, they cure arthritis,fractures,spondylitis,slip discs,back related problems, paralysis and,sometimes,even infertility among women …they have been blessed by this special gift …they have not been through any formal training….no diplomas,nor degree certificates…blessed aren’t we ?? Many still believe in black magic , read tarot cards and prescribe remedial measures to ward off the evil.

Coming to the tourist places of attraction…there are plenty .

Cherrapunjee,situated 56 kms away, is famous for getting the heaviest rainfall in the world ! It is also famous for it’s limestone caves and orange honey. The little village is marked by beautiful waterfalls,valleys and deep gorges….surely an artist’s delight !

Cherrapunjee is a popular picnic spot and anyone who visits Shillong has to make a trip there.

 

 

Golf Links…..which is the oldest golf course in India, has a golf course which is set in an undulating valley covered with pine and rhododendron trees.In 1889,it was a 9 hole course which was later converted to a 18 hole course in 1924 by Capt. Jackson and C.R. Rhodes. The 6th. hole is the longest hole,which is 594 yards. The golf course is termed as “The Glen Eagle Of The East” at the United States Golf Association Library and Museum .

Shillong Peak,10 kms away from the city , is at an altitude of 1965 meters above sea level.It is an ideal picnic spot and offers a panoramic view of the scenic countryside.It is also the highest point in the state.

The Ward’s Lake,located in the heart of the city,is popular for it’s short garden walks and boating .Part of the lake is covered with beautiful shades of the lotus .The winding pathway around the lake has a background of lush grass and pretty flowers .A wooden bridge connects one end of the lake to the other .People often stand on the bridge and watch the boats sailing by…..they even throw some gram into the water and watch as the fish come up to feed on them.

The Elephant Falls,12 kms away, has gushing milky water all year long.

In Jakrem,64 kms away,is a hot spring of sulphur water, which is believed to have curative medicinal properties.

Iewduh,popularly known as “bara bazar” ,is the largest open street market in the North East.Here one can shop for anything under the sun….vegetables,fruits,grocery,utensils,clothes,footwear……you name it….they have it all

There are very good educational institutions in Shillong.The popular ones being St. Edmund’s School and College,Pine Mount School,St. Anthony’s School and College,St. Mary’s School and College,St. Margaret’s School ,Loreto Convent… and a number of Central Schools.

The main shopping areas are Police Bazar ,G.S.Road and Laitumkhrah. These places are always crowded by keen shoppers.Police Bazar has recently had a face lift and the fountain at the circle looks beautiful,especially at night.

There are a number of hotels to choose from for one’s stay. The Stately Pinewood Hotel and restaurant is a class apart !It gives one a sense of pride to enter the lobby ,with it’s polished wooden floors and potted plants , and sit by the fireplace on a cold winter evening.

The Tripura Castle…situated on a hill…..is a heritage….belonging to the Maharaja of Tripura….it is done up in fine taste. It is an ideal place for one to get away from the daily humdrum of life

The Centre Point,situated in the heart of the city,is another comfortable place to stay in.

The above are the higher rated hotels.There are a number of reasonably priced hotels as well,where one can have a comfortable stay.

Seasonal fruits like oranges,pineapples,guavas,pears,peaches,bananas and plums are in abundance !The lime we get here are found no where else in the world !!They are green and oval shaped and have no seeds !!

Another “MUST EAT” are jalebis from Delhi Mistan…………..sluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurp……I swear you will never get jalebis like this,anywhere in the whole universe !!!!

The local people are fond of non vegetarian food….their staple diet is rice,potatoes and meat or fish. Their food is not too spicy..it is rather bland and most often boiled.They prepare pork in many different ways,and one has to acquire the taste for it.

Betel nut, which is known as “Kwai” , and leaf (“paan”) is served in every Khasi house….even during deaths and weddings.They welcome guests by serving betel nut and paan.Most of the people,especially the Khasis, chew this with some lime.

Shillong,being earthquake prone,has houses with wooden floors…(of late,many concrete buildings have come up)….but nothing can beat the quaint cottages,with their smoking fireplaces , which radiate a warm and homely atmosphere.The wooden floors are polished with wax and rubbed till they shine. People living here are house proud and keep their homes spic and span .Almost all the houses have a little garden with a variety of colorful flowers. ALL the houses in Shillong have blinds made with lace or net for their windows. The houses are scattered over the hills and,at night,when the lights are on….Shillong looks like a Fairyland!

The weather is heavenly….the temperature goes upto 28 degrees in summer and minus 1 during the winter.We get rains almost throughout the year …..but the streets do not get slushy.The standard joke is that “Shillong has four seasons in a day!” One minute it is rainy and cold and the next minute it is sunny and hot !!

Ooooooooooooooh…..I could go on and on writing about Shillong……..If you ever get an opportunity to visit this place please do not miss it….it is surely “Heaven On Earth