Meghalaya is a hilly area covered with greenery everywhere, providing a close look at nature’s raw beauty with lakes, valleys, caves, and waterfalls. The other name for Meghalaya is Scotland of the East. Its beauty captures everyone’s attention and gives the visitors a feeling of being in paradise because of its scenic beauty. Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya. Khasi Garo hills are a low formation of mountains over the Shillong plateau in Meghalaya. The Khasi Garo hills also connect the Purvanchal Range to the Patkai Range.

Capital of Meghalaya

• Shillong: It is famous for its unique culture and its scenic beauty, landscape, massive waterfalls, and the fantastic people that live in that region.

Meghalaya

• It was previously a part of Assam state.
• It is the wettest region of India.
• It has Mawlynnong, which is the cleanest village.
• It is the only state following the Matriarchal system of Society.
• It is also called the Scotland of the East.
• It was formed in the year 1972 from 2 districts of Assam.
• It is known for its wide range of crops.
• The literacy rate of the state is as high as 75.8%.
• The languages used in Meghalaya are Khasi, Pnar, and Garo.
• The staple food of the state is rice and spicy meat or fish.
• The majority of the population of Meghalaya are Tribes.

State Symbols of Meghalaya

• Motto: Satyameva Jayate
• Mammal: Leopard
• Bird: Hill Myna
• Trees: Gamhar
• Flower: Lady’s Slipper Orchid

Climatic conditions

• The climate in the state is moderate.
• During summer, the temperature remains between 21℃ to 23℃
• During winter, the temperature remains between 8℃ to 10℃.
• Cherrapunji, a village in Meghalaya, experiences rainfall as high as 450 inches.
• The rainfall is heavy from May to September, with an average rainfall of about 254 centimetres.
• In Shillong, the rainfall is 50 miles.

Tourism

• Meghalaya is known for its adventure sports like trekking, hiking, mountaineering, and water sports like rowboats, sailing boats, etc.
• The living root bridges near the Cherrapunji are a famous spot for attracting tourists.
• Cherrapunji is a famous village in Meghalaya that is a prime spot for tourists to visit.
• There are also some famous waterfalls like Elephant Falls, Bishop Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, Sweet dreams, etc.
• The state is also known for sacred groves like ‘The Mawphlang’, also known as Law Lyngdoh.

Famous dishes in Meghalaya

Meghalaya has a wide range of dishes and some fusions that one should not miss while visiting Meghalaya, such as:

1. Jadoh: It is the most famous street food of Meghalaya, made with red rice and pork served with green chillies and some chutney to spice up the taste. There is also a restaurant named Jadoh in Shillong, which is the favourite spot of the locals of Meghalaya.

1. Doh-Khlieh: Pork is an essential part of almost all the Meghalayan dishes. Doh-Khlieh is a traditional salad with minced pork, green chillies, and some onions. It is served with pig brains, curry, and some bread. 

1. Pumaloi: Pumaloi is served at public celebrations, family gatherings, and festivals. It has steamed powdered rice as its primary ingredient and is a traditional recipe being followed for ages. These steamed rice cakes can be eaten at lunch, breakfast, or dinner. The filling of coconut within these Pumaloi shows its Khasi essence.

1. Sakin Gata: It has a blend of tribal and Asian influences. It is a rice cake, a sweet dish with layers of ice and roasted sesame seeds, adding a nutty flavour to the whole dish. It is stored overnight in water and then mixed with sugar, thus giving it a sticky texture. It is available at the local shops in Meghalaya. 

1. Kyat: It is a local beverage widely served in the Meghalaya state. It is a party drink made by fermenting rice beer, i.e., fermented rice. It is a unique beer that people use at their parties to enjoy.

Places to visit in Meghalaya

Meghalaya is the Scotland of the East and is one of the most fantastic tourist attractions sites because of all the greenery and the beauty of the hills that attract tourists. 

Here are the ten most famous places in Meghalaya you should never forget to add to your list while you are visiting Meghalaya:

1. Cherrapunji
2. Tura
3. Shillong
4. Kyllang Rock
5. Umiam Lake
6. Living Root Bridge
7. Nohkalikai Fall
8. Balpakram National Park
9. Elephant Falls
10. Mawlynnong Village

Conclusion  

Meghalaya is a hilly area covered with greenery everywhere, providing a close look at nature’s raw beauty with lakes, valleys, caves, and waterfalls. The other name for Meghalaya is Scotland of the East. Its beauty captures everyone’s attention and gives the visitors a feeling of being in paradise because of its scenic beauty. Cherrapunji is one such place in Meghalaya that receives the maximum rainfall in the world. Shillong is its capital.