Soul Searching Ends in Meghalaya; I am On Cloud 9
The hills of the Himalayas in Himachal awe struck me
early this year. The towering snow-gilded peaks were grandiosely beautiful,
overpowering in their influence and made me surrender to their superiority. I
came back as a vanquished skeleton to my mundane and drab world. But in June
something different happened during my over a weeklong sojourn at Shillong.
They take pride in calling Meghalaya the Scotland of the North East but my
experience elevated me to something beyond symbolism. The hills were small and
undulating, appeared more human and part of your life. More than enchanting,
they drew me into an intimacy, which was not exactly spellbinding but rather an
embrace where you feel your own being getting lifted to their abode. The troupes
of clouds rolling over the low-lying, curvaceous mountain horizon spread an
exhibition of romance under a transparent blue sky that can only be seen in
Meghalaya. The mumming sound of the streams, crystal clean in their colour to
the bottom of the bed would allow me to spot even a fish or two. The rains had
conjured up a heavy dose of romance to the surreal setting.
I reached Guwahati airport in the afternoon and it
took almost five hours to reach Shillong because of heavy traffic caused by the
narrow roads in the suburb Assamese state capital.
But as I entered Meghalaya I started feeling
pleasant and was slowly drifting into a trance like state witnessing the long
and romantic conversation between the cool breeze and my unsettled hair. I had already
started developing a liking for the local dress commonly called as Jenkesha and
Jensome, part of the Khasi attire and I made a point to buy some after reaching Shillong.
As the locals still are living in the medieval period, feeling shy in getting the photos clicked |
DAY-1
An early riser, I never miss an opportunity to
breath in the cool breeze, sipping the morning tea with the little minions
chirping all along and watching the infinite movie up in the clouds. As soon as
I woke up, before having a romantic kiss with my Tetley, I decided to walk
around and it seemed I was loitering in a different world.
But the First- Day-First-Outing excitement had
already gripped me and by 9.30 am I was already in the car for the Meghalaya
Darshan. After a four and a half hours drive in the idyllic landscape, I
reached the Dwaki River.
The Day had begun |
It was a sunny day but while heading towards Dwaki I
found the fickle weather change all of a sudden. It became dark, foggy, and
windy and it had started drizzling a little. My colourful attire had a great
impact on me as I realised that I was dancing like a peacock sitting and
dancing at the back seat of the car taking my head out in the cold breeze from
the aperture of the moving box. I was delighted to see the clouds and rain as I
was travelling from 50 degree Celsius hot chamber of Jaipur to a 20 degree comfort
in the month of June.
The black tarred road drew a meandering line in the
shiny green expanse, often escorted by pine trees. Locals in their colourful attire
with long cone-shaped hats made of bamboo could be seen working languorously in
the field. Meghalaya produces a large amount of betel nut which I tasted but
found it a little bitter because of its rawness. The texture of the betel nuts almost
resembled coconuts. The way to Dwaki was also offered the same breadth taking
nature magic but here I could to my astonishment found greenery in two shades which
I had not studied even in the drawing class in my childhood. They were
gorgeous.
I was in the lap of Mother Nature |
By now, my driver had doubled up as my guide and showed me the nearby places and was happy to describe me about the places, weather, cultivation and also the relationship with the neighbouring country Bangladesh. I was surprised to see Bangladesh from the border of India. My tiny eyes were not ready to accept the huge plain that separated India from Bangladesh.
Namaste!!!! The plains are Bangladesh |
In Dwaki, the first visit happened to be the India
and Bangladesh boarder, commonly known as Tamabil. I could not control myself
and tears started rolling down my eyes. It was very hard to understand the
reality of partition. There were no fortified boundaries but strip of grassy
land with a miniature kind of white flag announcing the great separation that
displaced people from their roots. Without thinking of the consequences, I
stepped in to the no-man’s world and joined the BSF group and the Bangladesh
Armies but soon I was called back. I pleaded thousands times to the armies of
our country but all in vein. Afraid of their superiors they did not allow me to
go any further from the invisible boundaries. There I made a vow to myself that
before my last breath I would visit Pakistan and Bangladesh just to feel the pain
of the bloody partition and also experience their culture and the views on us.
The White Flag, announcing the bloody partition |
Worship Nature as God |
Living Root Bridge |
I was running with short of time as I
had to visit one more destination and it was getting a little dark. Without
getting late I started for the Cleanest Village of Asia, Mawlinglong. I found that
the village was a large colony of the local people living a completely natural
life. The small settlements resembled like a small Eco Park where I could see
people doing their evening walk and having a good time with the evening
spirits.
The Cleanest Village of Asia, Mawlinglong |
The next visit happened to be the Krangshuri
Waterfall. Located in the lap of nature, the waterfall offers an everlasting experience.
I had never imagined that our country is so beautiful and has so many things to
offer. Whenever I felt that my man-made eye can store all the memories and the
beautiful views, I asked my driver to have small halts so that I can feel the
nature and collect the sweet memories.
In a long relationship with cloud number 9 |
I am in Love |
The road to Krangshuri made me realise the reason
for calling Meghalaya as The Scotland of East. Listening the song Daayre amid
the never-ending green hills surrounded with clouds were just making my journey
enchantingly magical. As I reached Krangshuri Waterfall, my stomach was longing
for some local food. I found a small Dhaba run by local ladies and I was amazed
to see the cleanliness of the place and the arrangement as well. They appeared
to be very warm and welcoming. I ordered Chicken Thali and some fried fish and
the food I had was just scrumptious and so much so that though my stomach was
full but still I miss the thick gravy chicken. It was a normal meal but with the
cleanliness, taste and love I felt words are inadequate to explain the
experience.
In Meghalaya, I found there are limited places to
visit but the view and the locations of the places are breath-taking. Finally I
reached the waterfall and I was surprised to see the small cute rainbow amid
the water flowing from the hills.
The way to Krangshuri Waterfall |
Now I my driver took me to Eco Park where I found
nothing much to explore but Bangladesh was within the view. I had seen
Bangladesh from very close on the first day so I did not take much interest. But
I came across few Bangladeshis and quizzed them to know about their life and
culture.
With the Bangladeshi Folks |
Being the wettest place on the earth Cherrapunji had some captivating water falls. Nohkakai is one of them. But there are chances that you cannot see the waterfall all the time of the day. Periodically, the falls gets covered with armies of clouds for quite some time. But then I was lucky to see the fall and also how it gets carpeted with clouds. It’s again a great place with wonderful scenic views even one cannot see Bollywood movies.
Nohakakai Waterfall |
This year the rains have been less bountiful in
Cherrapunji and the Seven Sisters waterfall was not as gushingly thrilling as
it used to be. But its scenic beauty remains unhindered. I spent some quiet
moments wondering at the nature’s various avatars and their impact on the life
and society.
Seven Sisters Waterfall |
Cherrapunji, also called Sohra in local language, is also famous
for bamboo handicraft. Near the Nohkakai waterfall, I made a little shopping
for my memory. The prices are quite reasonable.
Local Market in Sohra |
It was already 2 pm and I was feeling hungry.
The driver stopped the car at a Dhabba that said Indian, Chinese, Thailand, and
Bengali food was available there. With the names of the countries, the inclusion
of Bengali intrigued me and I realised Cherrapunji is also a sought after
destination for Bengalis and no hotel or Dhaba would like to miss on Bengali
foods. With Rs 250, I could have a stomach full delicious chicken thali with
other delicacies thrown in.
With the sumptuous lunch, I had to bid farewell to
Cherrapunji, the place that does not have much to see but a lot to feel
enriched inside. On the way back the skies opened unravelling the enchanting
landscape. The song Tere Liye (Sanam Re) playing out inside the car weaved the magic to
that scenic drive.
Chal Waha Jaate Hai.. Chal Waha Jaate Hai... |
Shillong has been a little crowded over recent
years, but the unique North East culture is still thriving and abound. Food and
clothes of the natives, bazaars, handicraft shops, restaurants, cottage kind of
houses, all had a distinct character of their own which one cannot find
elsewhere.
They call Shillong the Scotland of East but at the
end of my trip, I ended up feeling that it is The Heaven On The Earth.
Note:-
Local
places to see in Shillong
1.
Elephant fall :- Nice place
2.
Police bazaar :- The most happening place in shillong
3.
Wards Lake: A perfect place to take a walk.
4.
Zoo:- As I did not find anything unique there.
5.
Shillong Peak:- It is a beautiful place but the day was Wednesday so it was closed.
It's amazing place, heaven on earth.
ReplyDeleteThank you soo much Numan!!!!
DeleteI was there with my friends in 2102. Still I feel it as one of the best trip of my life. Your writing brought back all the sweet memories. You have an excellent writing skills. All the best for your future destinations. Keep writing.
ReplyDeleteThanku soo much!!!!
DeleteIf my writing took u to Meghalaya without moving a single inch then there cannot be a better compliment than this... Once again thanku soo much☺️
Great to read about Shillong. I grew up there and would like to visit again. Be my guide :)
ReplyDelete