Shillong – The Scotland of the East In one of the introduction session in REC Warangal, one teacher said to me “Ok so you are from international school”. He said this after I told that I have come from Shillong. He was not the only to say and think so. Till date, many people still wonder where is shillong ?

A flash of tartan, the scent of heather and tendrils of mist clinging to the hillsides; houses with Tudor-style framework, church steeples and cottages with names like "Oaklands", and "Bellevue". Doesn’t this sound to be some Scottish Highlands, or some small hamlet in heart of England. Actually, I am en-route to Shillong, a hill town tucked away in the northeast corner of India.

Meghalaya, the adobe of clouds, is one of the seven sisters State. It was made an independent state on Jan 21, 1972. The state is a mix of hill communities primarily Khasi, Jaintia and Garo.

Shillong is the picturesque capital of Meghalaya and lies in the midst of East Khasi Hills. Located at an average altitude of 4,908 ft (1,496 m) above sea level, it is one of the most romantic Hill stations with pine scented tracks and gurgling streams and waterfalls, flower-filled meadows and mist on the mountains.The city got its name from Leishyllong - the Superpower who is believed to reside on the Shillong peak, overlooking the city.

HISTORYShillong was a small village until 1864, when it became the new civil station of the Khasi and Jaintia hills. It remained the summer capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam for many years. In 1874, on the formation of Assam as a Chief Commissioner’s Province, it was chosen as the capital of the new administration. An earthquake destroyed the city in 1897, necessitating its complete rebuilding. In January 1972, Shillong became the capital of the newly formed state of Meghalaya.

QUICK FACTS : Area : 10.36 sqPopulation : ~260,000Languages : Khasi, Garo, EnglishReligion : ChristianityMax Temp : 24.95 CMin Temp : 4.64 CLocal Dance : Shad SukMyniem Dance Old Busses(Seats are wooden)

– You still see them on roads

THE BEAUTY

Some of the most beautiful views that you get to see are on your way from shillong to Cherrapunji, which was the wettest place till sometime back with record rainfall of 9300mm. The scenic vistas are marked by the waterfall and deep gorges along the route.

Mawsynram, the wettest place of the world, is other breathtaking spot of caving amongst the legendary limestone sapces of the khasi hills

Located 10Kms from city of Shillong, Shillong Peak (6,433 Ft), is the highest point in city and offer the spectacular view of the town, eastern Himalayas (On Clear Sunny Days) and Bangladesh Plains

Golf course of shillong has been dubbed as the Gleneagle of the East by the US Golf Association Library and Museum. Being among the few Natural golf course of Asia, it is also the wettest Golf course

Horse-shoe shaped Ward’s Lake (Named after William Ward), an artificial water body offers the serene evirons.

Police Bazar Ward’s Lake Shillong Peak Golf Course

Interesting Facts

Shillong follows matrilineal system where lineage and inheritance are traced through women wherein the "Ka Khadduh" (or the youngest daughter) inherits all the property and acts as the caretaker of aged parents and any unmarried siblings

Shad SukMyniem Dance

Khasi Men Khasi Women Khasi Children

Shad Thma (Warrior Dance)

THE CULTURE

DANCE : Ka Pomblang Nongkrem(New Year Festival), Shad SukMyniem(Dance of Warriors)FOOD : Rice and MeatDRESS : Jymphong (Male Dress - longish sleeveless coat without collar, fastened by frongs in front) : Jainsen (Female Dress)

Ka Pomblang Nongkrem