MEGHALAYA " THE SCOTLAND OF THE EAST"

 MEGHALAYA Meghalaya is the state situated in the north ea stern part of the state of India . The state popularly known as the Scotland of t...

 MEGHALAYA

Meghalaya is the state situated in the north eastern part of the state of India . The state popularly known as the Scotland of the East. Meghalaya is one of the member of The Seven Sisters State of the India. Shillong is the capital of the state and also the largest city of Meghalaya. The state was formed by carved out two districts  from the state of Assam and  the United Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and the Garo Hills on 21 January 1972. Meghalaya Shared its boundaries with the  Bangladesh from the  south and west and the Assam from the east and north. About 70 % of the total area of the state covered with forests and the  Cherrapunji is considered as the wettest region of India. Meghalaya has many rivers and the whole area is covered with Mountains and some divine scenic views. The state GDP of the state is about 5.19 Billion USD. 

OTHER INFORMATIONS...

• MOTHER NATION -  INDIA

• FORMED ON -  21 JANUARY  1972

• OFFICIAL LANGUAGE -  ENGLISH

• OTHER LANGUAGE -  KHASI, GARO, BENGALI  etc

• MAMMAL -  CLOUDED  LEOPARD

• BIRD -  HILL  MYNA

• FLOWER -  LADY'S  SLIPPER ORCHID

• TREE -  GAMHAR

HISTORY

The History of the Meghalaya is not so ancient but it play a major role at that time. The history of the state started with the Khasi Kingdoms, neighboring Ahoms and the Kacharis known as the Meghalaya prior to the British Period. In 19th century, British decided to built the road line which used to link the Assam and West Bengal. The treaty was signed between British and the Ruler of the Khasi Dynasty in 1827. Those who were against the Treaty were defeated  by the British Military and By the Mid - 1830s, most of the local rulers had submitted to the British. In the next century, the British overtake the political control over the area, known as the Garrows and Cossiya states.

In 1947, India got Independence from the British Rule, The Government of India evolve to preserve and the protect the Tribal groups and the region was given a special protection in the Indian Constitution. On 21 January 1972, Meghalaya became the state of the Republic of India.

CULTURE OF MEGHALAYA

Meghalaya is the state covered with rivers and the mountains. The population of the state are majorly Tribes and lived in the Rural Area as the State GDP is based on Agriculture. People of the different religions lived the state. Meghalaya is one of the three states in India to have a Christian Majority. About 70% of the population followed Christianity, Its a unique fact that In Meghalaya Hindus are the Minority. English is  the Official language of the state. Other languages speak in the  state are Khasi, Garo, Bengali, Nepali, Assamese and Hindi. 

The traditional dress of the state wear by women is Jainsen, It is an  unstitched garment is made of Mulberry silk and is worn around the body and Endi Shawl, also made up of silk. The men of the state wear Dhoti, Jacket, Turban and the long unstitched cloth. The folk dance of the state is Shad Sukmysiem, Derogata, Do Dru Soa and Laho etc. The Folk music of the state is Baul, Bhajan and Shyama Sangeet etc.

You can feel and experience the beauty and the culture of the state by exploring the various Destinations, food and the Festivals of the state. So lets discuss about  everything mentioned in the statement and feel the real beauty and vast culture of the state.

POPULAR DESTINATIONS OF  MEGHAYALA

Meghalaya is famous for its various popular and beautiful Destinations which gives you an amazing feel to your heart. So lets discuss about the Popular destinations of the Meghalaya.

1. CHERRAPUNJI.

Cherrapunji is one of the most popular tourist Destination of Meghalaya. Cherrapunji Holds the Designation as the Wettest Place of the World. This place is  famous for its Beautiful Waterfalls and various scenic montages which attracts many visitors every year. As we know, Meghalaya is covered with forest and mountains so the temperature of the state is  very pleasant. Cherrapunji is also famous for limestones caves of  Mawsmai.Because of the eye calming ambiance and beauty, Cherrapunji is one of the best Destination of Meghalaya. So whenever you visit the state must explore Cherrapunji.

2. LIVING  ROOT  BRIDGES.

Living Root Bridges is one of the most popular destination of the State. This place is the perfect example of the  Nature and Man Relationship. These root bridges spread across the dense valleys of Khasi Hills region inn the sate of Meghalaya. The Khasi Tribes are the inventors of this Masterpiece. They locate these bridges to grow from the root of rubber trees. The Umshiang Double - Decker Bridge which is more than 180 years old. Most of the bridges are single rooted. The second level was built by the locals of Khasi tribe when once the water in the monsoon season reached the first level of the Bridge. Many visitors came every year to explore this beautiful place.

3. NOHKALIKAI  WATERFALLS.

Nohkalikai Waterfalls is one of the  most popular tourist Destinations of the state. It is said to be the highest waterfall in India. Plummeting down from the height of 1115 feet and led down in an emerald pool forming beneath which making this place one of the best and beautiful destination of Meghalaya. Beside the  waterfall, the  misty dense forest which engirdles the place which make it hard to resist. Whenever you visit the state must explore this place because this place gives an ultimate mind calming experience

4. MAWLYNNONG  VILLAGE.

Mawlynnong Village is the popular destination situated in the district of East Khasi Hills. This village holds the title of  The Cleanest Village in Asia. The place witnnessed the  waterfalls and root bridges to clean surrounding and the divine viewpoints. There are many bamboo guest houses where you will surely want to stay when you visit the place as many visitors came here to see the clean environment. So whenever you make the plan to visit the Meghalaya, must add this place in you list.

There are many places left to explore when you visit the state like Shillong, Balpakram National Park, Nongkhnum Island, Mawphlang Sacred Forest etc. These places are so beautiful and gives you and ultimate experience. So whenever you make plan to visit the Scotland of the East, must visit all the places.

POPULAR FOOD OF MEGHALAYA

Meghalaya is famous for its various cultural food which gives you an unforgettable taste to you mouth and its hard to resist. So lets discuss about the various Popular food of Meghalaya. 

1. JADOH.

Jadoh is one of the most popular dish found in almost every corner of the Meghalaya. This dish is prepared by the Khasi Tribes. This dish is similar to Pulao or Buryani. The dish is made up of short grain red rice called Joha rice and pork.The meat is cooked slowly with some traditional spices. The smokey falvour of the meat and onions as the topping make the dish more delight. The taste of the dish is too amazing and is made especially during the Khasi festival.

2. PUMALOI.

Pumaloi is the popular food of Meghalaya. This dish is the integral part of the tribal cuisine throughout Meghalaya. Rice is the main ingredient of the dish as this this is made with rice powder. This powder later steamed and cooked in a pot called khiew ranei. These steamed rice cakes cane be consumed in any time like Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and served with the grated coconut as the topping of the Dish. The taste of the dish is too good and delight. One who can consume this dish will never resist the taste of the dish.   

3. MINIL SONGA.

Minil Songa is one of the most popular dish made by the Garo Tribe of Meghalaya. This dish helps in constipation and improve digestion. Minil Songa is a sticky rice preparation. Mini is a sticky rice which has a rice nutty flavour and delicate texture. To make this dish, Minil rice is boiled in fresh bamboo and enjoy  as snack. The taste pf the dish is very amazing and hard to resist. Whenever you make plan to visit the state, must try this dish.

4. KYAT.

Kyat is the famous rice beer found in the every corner of the state. Shillong is the city that served up this drink. This drink is the true symbol of Meghalayan Hospitality. It is made from fermented rice which has the unique flavour boiled along with water and garnished with local ingredients. The drink is amazing that there is no bar or restaurant in Meghalaya that does not have  Kyat. Whenever you gain the chance to have this drink do not miss the chance and must try this dish. 

Meghalaya is the home of various communities and cultures where rice and pork form the staple diet of the people. If you are a Food  lover and love to eat the dishes made of pork and rice, Must try this dishes and feel the beauty and cultural vastness of the Scotland of the East.

POPULAR FESTIVALS OF MEGHALAYA

Meghalaya is famous for its various cultural festivals which celebrate with full of joy and excitement and famous through North East Region. So lets discuss about some popular festivals of the Meghalaya.

1. SHAD SUK MYNSIEM.

Shad Suk Mynsiem is the famous festival celebrate in the Meghalaya. This festival is celebrated by the Khasi Tribes in the month of April. On this day, People gather and performed at the Weiking Ground near the capital city of Shillong and other places. The dance is  performed to signify the Matrilineal and Patrilineal structure of the Khasi  Society. The unmarried girls of the society performed their traditional dance, doing very painful steps while men circles the women in their lashing out swords and whips. The motive of this is that a man is the protector of a woman's honor. This festival is very as many visitors came every year to witnessed the joyness of the festival.

2. BEHDEINKHLAM FESTIVAL.

Behdeinkhlam Festival is one of the most important festival of Meghalaya celebrated by the Jaintia people of the Niamtre religion. The literal meaning of the Behdeinkhlam is " Chasing away the Plague".  It is celebrated every year in the month of July before the seed sowing season. On this day, Rituals and sacrifices are made by the priest accompanied by the beating of drums and flutes. The main  event is the wrestling of a tree trunk that is chosen with care it is said to bring good luck to whoever touched it. This festival is celebrated every year at Jowai town and other villages of the Jaintia Hills. People from the different part of the country to witness this colourful festival. 

3. WANGALA FESTIVAL.

The Wangala Festival is  one of the most important festival of the Garo People of Meghalaya. This  festival is popularly known as the Hundred Drum Festival. It is a post - Harvest festival celebrate to mark the end of the agricultural year. It is a thanksgiving festival to the god of fertility, known as Misi-A-Gilpa-Saljong-Galapa. This festival is celebrated  from September to December at the popular places of the Garo Hills. The State-sponsored festival attract local, national and foreign tourist who came to be entertained by the dances competitions, Gorge themselves on local food and drinks made from fermented rice popularly called Rice Beer. Many dance competitions, stalls and the excibitions held during this festivals which fill everyone's heart with joy and excitement.

4. STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL.

Strawberry Festival is the most famous festival celebrated in the Meghalaya. This Festival is celebrated to promote the farming of fruits. This festival is not for the families to enjoy and be a pert of it but also to contribute to the growth of  the local farmers and the state's economy. The state has the perfect climate for  the cultivation of strawberries, and this  is the reason for the government encouraging the farmers to promote the production of the Strawberries. This festival is very famous in this regions and fill everyone's heart with joy and  excitement. 

These are the factors mentioned above show the  greatness and the wide cultural values with the ultimate scenic beauty of The Scotland of the East. More factors left to explore which I do not mention above, So whenever you make plan to visit the state must explore the state properly. If you like and appericiate my work, Share this with your friends and family.