Places in India you must visit at least once #2(Cherrapunji)
Cherrapunji is a small town found in Meghalaya state in northeast India. It's located about 54km southwest of Shillong, the state capital.
The town is situated high atop the Shillong plateau, in the East Khasi hills. This plateau averages about 1,480 m above sea level and lies as much as 1,000 m above the floors of the surrounding valleys. The town itself sits at an altitude of 1,260 m above sea level.
The plains of Bangladesh begin only about 25km south of the town but the nearest border crossing into Bangladesh at Dawki can only be reached by an 85km drive, due to route the road takes.
The plains of Bangladesh begin only about 25km south of the town but the nearest border crossing into Bangladesh at Dawki can only be reached by an 85km drive, due to route the road takes.
The town of Cherrapunji is often credited as being the wettest place on Earth but nearby Mawsynram, just 10 miles to the west receives even more rainfall than Cherrapunji according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Mawsynram’s average annual rainfall has been recorded at an incredible 11,871mm.
However, Cherrapunji does hold several other rainfall records including the record for the highest annual rainfall total, where in 1861 it received a staggering 26,470mm of rain. It also holds the two-day rainfall record, where on 15 to 16 June 1995, it received an unbelievable 2,493 mm of rain.
However, Cherrapunji does hold several other rainfall records including the record for the highest annual rainfall total, where in 1861 it received a staggering 26,470mm of rain. It also holds the two-day rainfall record, where on 15 to 16 June 1995, it received an unbelievable 2,493 mm of rain.
The term ‘Meghalaya’, given to the Indian state that Cherrapunji is found in, means ‘abode of the clouds’ and the name is very apt for this mountainous state, which is so often shrouded in mist.
The town of Cherrapunji has been renamed back to its original name of ‘Sohra’ by the state government. The British pronounced this ‘churra’ and eventually the name Cherrapunji evolved from this, which was actually first used by tourists from other parts of India and it means ‘land of oranges’.
The town of Cherrapunji has been renamed back to its original name of ‘Sohra’ by the state government. The British pronounced this ‘churra’ and eventually the name Cherrapunji evolved from this, which was actually first used by tourists from other parts of India and it means ‘land of oranges’.
The waterfalls here in Cherrapunji are some of the most spectacular in the world and they include India’s highest plunge waterfall.
Nohsngithiang Waterfalls
Cloistered in the misty Khasi hills of Meghalaya at a lofty height of 1033 feet(315meters) it is the 4th largest fall of India and is located at a distance of 1 km to the south of Mawsmi village. Nohsngithiang fall is also known as the seven sisters waterfall as it is seven segmented. Due to its height and a south western position the fall is illuminated by sunlight from dawn to dusk. The rays of setting sun when scattered by mist thrown by falling water creates a magical effect on the onlookers.
Kynrem Falls
It is located in the East Khasi Hills District, 12 km (7.5miles) from Sohra, cascading down in three stages it picturesquely overlooks the Thangkharang Park.
Khoh Ramhah
As beautiful as the heaven and as pristine as Mother Nature, Cherrapunjee is the only place in India that has just one season and that is monsoon. Nestled high above gurgling rivers and foggy valleys and placed amid floating clouds, Cherrapunji gets its beauty from continuous rainfall showered upon it. While Cherrapunji is an attraction in itself, there are few other spots that lures travellers with their outright magnificence. Khoh Ramhah, also known as Pillar Rock is one such popular name in Cherrapunjee that never misses the attention of visitors.Khoh Ramhah, a massive single rock formed in the shape of a giant cone, lead to an impressive spectacle of the views of Sylhet plains of Bangladesh. Two similar rocks, though smaller in size, are nestled beside Khoh Ramhah. Tourists can note that the beauty of Khoh Ramhah and its surrounding is contributed by the flow of a stream through the rocks in the form of rapid waterfall. All combined together, the breathtaking view of Khoh Ramhah will delight the eyes and refresh the minds of weary travellers.Points to note:
Nohkalikai Waterfalls
It is the tallest waterfall in India situated at the majestic height of 1100 feet (335 meters). This fall is fed by the rainwater which cascades down to a gorge forming a splendid turquoise green pool. It is considered to be the pride of Meghalaya. The fall decreases substantially during the relatively drier months’, i.e., between December to January. It is located at a distance of about 1.5 Km from the Sohra-Shella road and further 3 km down the Nohkalikai road.
Living Root Bridges and the Double Decker Root Bridge
The living root bridges of Cherapunji are made from the ficus elastia tree which grows a series of secondary roots which extend to large distances. Since root bridges are alive they keep on growing stronger with time. Some of them extend to the distance of 100 meters. The khasi tribes of Meghalaya channelize the roots of this tree through the hollowed out beetelnut trunks over the obstacles and across the rivers where they are allowed to take roots in the soil forming natural bridges. It might take 10 to 15 years for these bridges to become functional and are strong enough to carry the weight of 50 people at a time and some of the bridges in that area may be well over 500 years old one such bridge is the Umishiang Double-Decker Root Bridge which is believed to be the only one of its kind in the world. This bridge is actually two bridges staked one over the other.
Dainthlen Waterfall
Cherrapunji nestled in 'The Abode of Clouds', Meghalaya, is a destination par excellence. Famous for orange groves, honey and limestone caves, Cherrapunji had been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for receiving the maximum rainfall before handing over the coveted title to Mawsynram, another gem in Meghalaya's crown. Cherrapunji houses three waterfalls- Mawsmai Falls, Nohkalikai Waterfalls and Dainthlen Waterfalls, out of which Nohkalikai Waterfalls is the world's fourth-highest.The Dainthlen Waterfalls is a famous crowd-puller in the city. It is easily accessible by roads and is associated with a legend that speaks of how the locals had killed a python that had been living nearby the spot and terrorising villagers. The natural rock carvings close-by the waterfalls, where the snake had been killed, symbolises evil, greed, corruption and attracts tourists at large. It is soft and does not produce any roaring sound when it falls from a height which is not too steep either.Relevant information:
Elephant Falls
It is located at a distance of 12 Kms from the town and is a very beautiful waterfall. It provides beautiful and breathtaking scenic views to its visitors and is an important sightseeing place especially for the nature lovers.
https://youtu.be/0Nra9sQlBN8
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