There are only a few countries in the world that are as diverse as India. The beauty of nature, the people, and the culture can be seen in every state, but sure, Meghalaya is a bit different, intriguing, and unique. How? Well, read the following unknown interesting facts about Meghalaya and you’ll know precisely why. So, here we go.
1. Wettest Places On Earth
Sure, everybody in India knows how rainy it is down there in Meghalaya, but did you know it actually has many places that are literally the wettest places on Earth? Yes, that’s a fact and you’d be surprised to know that Mawsynram has the world record for the most rain that falls in a year, with over 400 inches.
2. Living Root Bridges
We know what bridges look like, right? We all know that, but what if we tell you that bridges can be made with the roots of several trees, not just by cutting them, but by actually using living roots? Sounds insane at first, but when you look at many living root bridges in Meghalaya, you’ll know what we are talking about.
3. Women Rule Aka Matrilineal Society
Right here in Meghalaya, for the Khasi and Garo groups, family trees and inheritance start with the mother, did you know that already? For centuries, people in India used to know by their mothers’ names, but there are only a few areas or communities that have kept this thing alive, and for sure, Meghalaya is a prime example.
4. Mawphlang’s Sacred Forests
The Sacred Forests of Mawphlang are old groves that are protected by the people who live there because they are thought to be home to good spirits. Without a doubt, these woods are very important to the people who live there for their spiritual and cultural beliefs. And it is not just for the talks, these sacred forests are actually quite stunning.
5. Crystal Clear River
Have you ever seen a river that was so clear you could see the bottom? That’s the Dawki River! It is in the West Jaintia Hills and is also called the Umngot River. The water is so clear that you can see the bottom of the river even when you’re very far down. This beautiful sight makes it a popular place for tourists who are amazed by how unusually pure it is.
6. Nohkalikai Falls
Nohkalikai Falls is the tallest plunge waterfall in India. It is 1,115 feet high. This beautiful waterfall, which is close to Cherrapunji, is a big draw for tourists because it has such amazing views and makes you feel the true power of nature.
7. Meghalaya’s Caves
If you live in India and consider yourself a cave explorer, well, then you must make plans to visit Meghalaya as soon as possible. With 1,580 known caves, 980 of which have been explored, Meghalaya is literally a dream come true for people who love exploring caves.
8. Asia’s Cleanest Village, Mawlynnong
Many people call Mawlynnong “God’s Own Garden.” In 2003, this town was named the cleanest in Asia. And then, in 2005, it was named the cleanest in India. Mawlynnong is a great example of how to care for the environment and be proud of your community.
9. Shillong, The Scotland of the East
People often call Shillong, the city of Meghalaya, the “Scotland of the East” because of its beautiful scenery, rolling hills, and mild weather which is pretty understandable. A lot of people love this lovely city because it has both natural beauty and colonial architecture.
10. Famous The Archery Lottery, Really?
A unique thing about Meghalaya is that they have a game called “Teer” where people bet on how many arrows will hit a goal. It’s a mix of traditional archery and a lottery, and the results are based on the last two numbers of the total number of shots that hit the target.
11. Meghalaya’s Seasonal Time Zone
Because it gets dark so early in the winter, the state unofficially uses a different time zone, UTC+6:30, instead of the normal Indian time of UTC+5:30.
12. Pohkseh, The Village with No Doors
A lot of homes in the town of Pohkseh don’t have doors. The people in the village think that the god who watches over the village will also watch over their homes and keep thieves and evil spirits away.
