Shillong

Shillong- The Scotland of the East

A Bird's Eye View of Beautiful Shillong

SHILLONG the capital of Meghalaya in the North Eastern part of India is a small hill station with a very big heart. It's a 'home to the world.' In a similar tone a tourist from Kolkata echoed, it is no less than a 'Holiday Home of the God's. This is where they actually love to live.' As the Indica drove uphill, a tourist from Delhi, on seeing the magnificent Umiam Lake thought he was 'Halfway to Heaven.'  During the British era the rolling hills around the city reminded the British settlers  of Scotland, hence Shillong is till today popularly known as the Scotland of the East. Sardar Vallabhai Patel on his visit to Shillong said , "Your land is land for Gods to live in. Its air, its natural scenery, its pure atmosphere, its sweet water would attract even Gods"

 

Shillong- The Beautiful Pine City

The Green Green Pines of Shillong

A friend of mine from Nigeria was so enchanted by the royal pines of Shillong that till today she can still recall the sweetest lullaby of the pines. So majestic are the pines that they seem to greet every weary traveler. They seem to console every sad soul. There has been none so far who has not been mesmerized by the pines of Shillong. The evergreen pines makes Shillong colorful throughout the 365 days of the year. Here is a poem I wrote for the beautiful pines of Shillong that I so love and will always be immensely mesmerized by their beauty.

The Green Green Pines of Home


In their greatest grandeur they stand,
So elegant is their greenness,
Withstanding the wrath of nature,
They emanate the sweetest fragrance,
The green green pines of home.


Venturing into the woods,
The soul endlessly dances,
Thanking the omnipotent almighty,
For the soul cleansing fragrance,
The green green pines of home.

A view of the beautiful pine city


Dew  like honey dripping from them,
Like flamboyant diamonds they glow.
It's so pleasing to the teary eyes-
The sorrowful heart is ceaselessly comforted;
The green green pines of home.


It give you company when lonesome,
They make you stand when you fall,
Teaches not to give up till you conquer,
From them life's greatest lesson learned;
The green green pines of home. 

The Land where the clouds come home

A land where the clouds come home

Meghalaya is derived from Sanskrit and literally means the 'Abode of Clouds.' Meghalaya is the home of the wettest place on earth- Cherrapunji or Sohra as it is better known in the local dialect. True to its name Meghalaya is indeed the abode of clouds. The cloud inundates the blue sky. As one looks up to the sky one can see the rays of the sun piercing through the gauze of clouds. It doesnt rain here but it pours. It's the land where the clouds come home. Incessant rainfall is common here. Its during this time that the sun also hibernates for weeks altogether. During the monsoon the sun is rarely seen. After the torrential rains the evening sky pleases your heart and the soul exalts in praise to God the creator for the most beautiful sight that has never failed to enchant every man for eternity. When one travels to Sohra during peak monsoon one cannot but be awe-struck by the beauty of the the dancing clouds. It is the land where the clouds romance. If your idea of fun is dancing in the rain and getting soaken wet then Sohra is the place for perfect rain dance party.

The Land of Picturesque Landscapes

The Magnificent Umiam

From the borders of Bangladesh to the plains of Assam, in between the River Surma and River Brahmaputra, lies the beautiful land called Meghalaya whose capital is Shillong named after the majestic Shillong Peak. It's a land of lush green pines and crystal clear rivers. Its picturesque hills and vales enchants every visitor. As one enters Shillong the magnificent Umiam lake welcomes every visitor with in it's greatest grandeur. As he drives upwards, the sweetest fragrance of the flamboyant pine trees entrances the visitor. It's coolest breeze and the sweetest music sweetly intoxicates one and all. Shillong city has a lot to offer to every tourist, The Shillong Golf Link, Wards Lake, Lady Hydari Park, Botanical Garden, The Cathedral of the Mary Help of Christians, The All Saints Cathedral, The Capt. Williamson Sangma Museum, The DBCIC Museum, The Butterfly Museum, Elephants Falls, Sweet Falls, Spread Eagles Fall, Bishop Falls, Crinoline Falls, Umiam Lake and the adjacent Nehru Park, The Shillong Peak and close by the Shillong View Point and many more. A drive by the countryside to immerse onself in its serenity and tranquilty is always a priceless. With some of the best restaurants serving a variety of cusines, an evening is always pleasant. Shillong is known for the authentic and mouthwatering chinese food. The Tibetan restaurants  across the city serve some of the best momos. Every Shillonghite proudly proclaims that no place in India serve beter momos than shillong.  The food joints serving ethnic khasi delicacies are not far behind. With mild or no spice and its unique taste and varieties it is also the most sought after food in the hills.