EXOTICECHO.COM

THE COMMON PLATFORM FOR MANY EXPRESSIONS .  .  .  .  .


Home News Editor's Desk Social Issues Features Events Comments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   


Features
Links for features
 
 
THE FASCINATING NORTH EAST
 
North-East India is entrenched in the easternmost part of the Himalayan hills and is located in the north-eastern part of the country. Linked to the other regions of India by just a 20 km of open land at Siliguri in West Bengal, the North-East India shares in excess of 2,000 km of frontier with Bhutan, China, Myanmar as well as Bangladesh. Lying in the less familiar Easternmost Himalayas this expanse is profuse in natural exquisiteness, Wild life, Flora & Fauna in addition to its vibrant populace. A combination of which transforms the area into the most attractive Eco-Tourism hub in South Asia.

The terrain of Magnificent Mountains, covered with crests of sapphire blue, the North-East turns out to be the expanse where the sun appears first in the country. The first rays of the sun by the way descends on Dong, a refreshingly tiny rural community in the easternmost spot of the North-East

The North East is spread over an area of approximately 2, 55168 sq km. The entire region consists of several states namely Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura as well as Sikkim. The population of the region is estimated to be around 40 million. Assam through which the grand Brahmaputra River flows is the most thickly populated of all the states in the region and boasts of nearly half of the population of the total area of the North East. The major religions prevalent in the region are Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism together with Christianity. A number of local dialects exist alongside Hindi, English, Assamese, Garo, Jaintia, Khasi, Bengali, Mizo, Manipuri, Nagamese, Lepcha, Limboo, Bhutia which are the major languages of the North East spoken by the people of the region.

The North-East India is the place of origin of an assorted number of ethnic groups which is approximately 166. Every ethnic group has their own well-defined customs, which furnishes them with an exclusive social characteristic. Several art forms as well as celebrations of the region are fundamental components of its vibrant custom as well as practice. Majority of the celebrations such as Bihu, Jhum Cultivation, Ke Pemblang, Nongkrem, reflect the exciting socio-cultural aspect of North-East India.

Elegant dance forms such as Garia, Bihu, Hai Hak and Manipuri are a crucial component of the ethnic and religious festivities of the North-eastern ethnic groups. Present in groups, music as well as dance traditions of the North-east are a treat to gaze at.

The North-East India boasts of a unique food tradition, but it varies greatly from the other parts of the nation in its flavor and essence. Every state has a unique food habit. Generally, denizens of the region prefer non-vegetarian and spice food. Delicacies made from bamboo shoots and ducks are extremely popular in the region. Animal flesh is regarded as part of the traditional cuisine in several areas of North-East India. Fish forms a prominent component in the food habits of the people of Tripura and Assam. In several areas of the North East people have preference for rice which is the staple food for many communities that exist in the region.

The region is a traveller’s paradise luring those who want to unwind and take a break from the hustle and bustle of life. For those who have a penchant for adventure and thrill, there is plenty the region has in store for them. The charm and excitement of observing wild life in its pristine state is a major attraction for nature lovers. The spurting streams and cascades, scenic mountain stretches are a real treat for the eyes.


Sheltered by the great Himalayan hills, the whole of the North-East region is supposed to be one of the most attractive expanses in South Asia as far as prospects of ecotourism. The thick forests situated in the foothill of Himalayan hills are known for their breathtaking scenic grandeur and boasts of a number wildlife parks that consist of Manas National Park in addition to Kaziranga National Park, the renowned World Heritage Site. Considered as one of the finest environmental regions where one can get pleasure from eco activities, North-East India is certainly a joy for admirers of nature.

Dubbed appropriately as the veiled treasure of India, North-East India offers a broad range of eco activities such as Trekking, Rafting, Nature Walk, Jungle Exploration and Wildlife Viewing that goes a long way in ascertaining the beautiful natural charm of the expanse.

Top
MEGHALAYA “THE ABODE OF CLOUDS“
 
The word Meghalaya originates from Sanskrit and means "The Abode of Cloud". The name reveals the climatic occurrence that is responsible for heavy rainfall in this area. Meghalaya is a state of grand attractive splendor; a vista of verdant, surging hills, luxuriant valleys, 250 species of orchids, winding rivers, waterfalls, radiant mountain streams as well as lakes. The southwestern monsoon that originates in the Bay of Bengal has a great bearing on the state of Meghalaya. The monsoon commences in May and extends till October. With a July average of 959 cms, Mawsynram in East Khasi Hills district experiences one of the heaviest rainfalls in the globe. The weather conditions from November to April are nearly dry. Winter starts in December and continues till February.


The state came into existence as a self-governing state on 2nd April 1970 and on 2nd January, 1972 it started functioning as a full-fledged state of the Indian Union. Meghalaya is if great geographic and tactical significance for India. It shares a border on the north and the east with the state of Assam, and on its south and west Bangladesh is located. The state can be broadly distinguished into three regions comprising Garo (Western), Khasi (Central) and Jaintia (Eastern) hill divisions.
In the Garo hills, the Tura stretch covers principally a central segment progressing from west to east where the Nokrek summit is positioned. Khasi -Jaintia stretches are entwined and is characterized by an arched pattern. Spikes of stretches in Jaintia hills are less elevated in comparison to the Shillong Plateau; hill echelons are positioned alongside level terrains, valley as well as pastures.

Meghalaya boasts of a wide array of flora as well as fauna. Nearly 3000 types of approximately 17,000 species of orchids on earth can be located in Meghalaya. A large number of exquisite plants are extant in the district of Jaintia hills, West Khasi hills and South Garo hills of the state. The state also has a rich assortment of wild life ranging from elephants, tigers, bear, jackal, leopard, and golden langurs.

Hornbills, King Vulture, Crested Serpent, Eagle, Partridges, Teals, Snipes, and Quails are the birds that can be found in large numbers in the state.


Meghalaya stretches over a zone of 22,720 sq kms and is populated by approximately 2,306,069 individuals according to a previous census. The census portrayed a sex-ratio in Meghalaya as 974 females for every 1000 males; in comparison to 923 females for the rest of the nation all together. The somewhat high sex ratio in Meghalaya may be credited to the prevalent custom of matriarchal culture. The Khasi as well as Jaintia clans are matriarchal in nature in which females particularly the youngest daughter become the rightful owner of the immovable assets of the departed. In fact, the female babies as well as daughters acquire sufficient notice of the parents with regard to schooling in addition to health concerns.
The majority of the people of Meghalaya are followers of Christianity and prior to the advent of Christian missionaries in the late 19th century and afterward, a good number of natives pursued tribal beliefs.

The people belonging to the Khasi, Garo as well as the Jaintia region are endowed with a rich ethnic tradition. The key expertise of the Khasi and the Jaintia districts are related to exquisite weaving, wood-carving in addition to cane and bamboo skills. The minor crafts consist of carpet as well as silk weaving together with the manufacture of musical instruments, jewellery along with pineapple fibre items.

The well-liked dexterity of the people from the Garo hills district is connected to artistic weaving, cane as well as bamboo expertise together with poker work- in which patterns are etched into the bamboo by means of a red-hot pointed rod, wood carving, jewellery and creation of toys and dolls from clay in addition to musical instruments.

There are diverse folklore, viewpoints and conclusions concerning the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos. It is thought that Khasis were the first settlers who traveled across northern Myanmar to Khasi in the meadows of East Assam where they set up new base. Khasis in terms of linguistic significance symbolizes the Mon-khmer vernacular prevalent in South-East Asia

The primeval territory of Khasis was restricted to the plain by and large in the Kamrup as well as Nagaon Districts, Assam and eastwards. The territories manifestly were Kamakhya(after Ka meika) the primeval mother, Kolong or Kapli, Mahadem as well as others. The Ka Meika kingdom afterward was recognized as Nongwah, or Rani which subsisted till the halfway point of the preceding century. As said by a number of historians, the Khasis were a much more potent force in the primordial period.

The origin of the Garos is cloaked in obscurity. Folklore traces their origin to Tibet from where their ancestors branched out to various locations. At some point in their journey they were linked to Kameikha, Kamakha and Kamakhya. Garo legacy is based on one of their eminent kings, Nokma Abong Chirepu, who is thought to have integrated the diverse tribes in the terrain under one territory and as singular people.

The Jaintias tribe owes its roots to the Hynniewtrep of the Austric tribe. The people who dwell in the Jaintia hills are known as Syntengs by the inhabitants of the Garo hills. It is thought by historians that they that they had travelled from Tibet-China from Mohkhmer clans in quest of food as well as refuge. The Jaintia Kingdom was the ancient realm stretched mostly in the hill regions. In the course of the British reign their terrain was occupied. This resulted in a conflict between the British and the Jaintias that continued. During 1935, when political restructuring were made and additional sovereignty was granted to Indian states as well as territories, the Khasi, Garo as well as the Jaintia hills was managed by means of the British resident administrator. In 1950 Garo hills, United Khasi and Jaintia hills were kept under the aegis of sixth schedule of the Indian constitution. The formation of Meghalaya in 1972 led to the creation of three autonomous district councils for the growth of the hills. The three councils were the Khasi autonomous district council, the Jaintia autonomous district council as well as the Garo autonomous district council

The district council is assigned with the development of crucial spheres of life such as education, judicial legislature as well as administrative work.

Meghalaya is principally an agrarian state in which roughly 80 percent of its entire populace relies mainly on agriculture for a living. The state has a huge capability for augmenting horticulture because of its agro-climatic diversity and provides great opportunity for the farming of temperate, sub-tropical as well as tropical fruits in addition to vegetables.

Apart from the chief food crops of rice and maize, Meghalaya is famous for its oranges (Khasi Mandarian), pineapple, banana, jackfruits, temperate fruits like plums, peaches and pears. The prevalent cash crop, which are usually grown, comprise turmeric, ginger, black pepper, areca nut, Betelvina, tapioca, short staple cotton, jute and mesta, mustard and rapeseed. Particular stress is currently put on non-traditional crops such as oil seeds, cashew nut, tea and coffee, orchids as well as commercial flowers.

Top
FESTIVALS OF MEGHALAYA
 
For the Garos, the most significant celebration is the Wangala or the Hundred-drum Festival which takes place from November to December. This is a harvest celebration observed in admiration of Saljong, the Sun-God of productiveness. The festivity symbolizes the termination of the phase of labour in the fields, yielding a high-quality harvest of crops. Everyone both young as well as old participate in the celebrations. The men strike the drums and move in rhythmic harmony. Doregata Dance Festival is an exciting dance form this captivating in its presentation. In this form of dance, women attempt to remove the turbans of their male counterparts, utilizing their heads. Another form of dance that necessitates delicate proficiency is the Chambil Mesara or Pomelo Dance. This is a dance form, in which an individual swings a pomelo or any other fruit on a string attached to his waist and subsequently flings it round and round.

The Khasis have two key celebrations - Nongkrem Dance that takes place in Oct. / Nov. and Shad-Suk Mynsiem that is observed in April. Nongkrem Dance is performed yearly for five days in total. It is a sacred celebration observed as prayer to God Almighty for excellent harvest and to yearn for tranquility and opulence in the society. It is observed in the month of November. A vital component of this celebration is 'pomblang' or sacrifice of the goats, performed by the people in honour of the Syiem of Khyrim. The Syiem is the organizational chief of the state. Ancestors of the ruling clan are also honoured by such offerings.

Behdienkhlam is the most vital dance celebrations of the Jaintias. It is observe subsequent to the termination of the sowing period. At Jowai town, this celebration is held in July. Young men make a representational shooing away of the evil spirits by pounding the roof of each house with bamboo sticks. The high point of the revelry is the scuffle, as observed in a tug-of-war, of two clusters of people contesting each other. The Jaintias boast of another Dance fiesta for amusement dubbed the Laho Dance, in which young men as well as women dance to the cheerfulness of the spectators.

Top
TOURIST HOTSPOTS OF MEGHALAYA
 
Cherrapunjee in Meghalaya boasts of rich historical tradition and was the first British outpost in the North East. Cherrapunjee is also known as Sohra, its original name in Khasi. Located 56 kms from Shillong it is situated at an elevation of 1300 metres from sea level. This location receives a substantial amount of rainfall and is one of the wettest rain-belts in the world. The deafening waterfalls running into profound canyons, including the renowned Nohsngithiang Falls are a delight for the sightseers. The exquisite town is also well-known for its limestone caves as well as orange honey. Hub of Khasi culture and literature, it also houses the ancient Presbyterian Church together with an institution of the Ramakrishna Mission.

Mawsynram is famous for the enormous stalagmite structure that resembles a Shivalinga, and dubbed by natives as 'Mawjymbuin'. Mawsynram is situated 56 Kms from Shillong,

Located 64 kms from Shillong, Jakrem is a trendy health centre possessing hot-springs of sulphur water, thought to have remedial medicinal traits .

Numerous ancient monoliths and table stones can be found in the Khasi Hills. The monoliths and table stones are cenotaphs where the ashes of the deceased are left in cairns or commemorative plaques, memorializing unforgettable events. The erect stones usually symbolize men and are of great size, occasionally extending to 6 metres or higher than the ground.

The key town in the Jaintia Hills district is Jowai located at an elevation of 1,380 metres from the sea level and is 64 kms from Shillong. The yearly fiesta of Behdeinkhlam is observed in a grand manner in Jowai. Travelling from Shillong to Jowai, one comes across the picturesque Myntdu River.

Nartiang is situated in the Jaintia Hills roughly 65 kms from Shillong and 24 kms from Jowai. There are collections of monoliths in Nartiang that are amongst the towering in the world.

The district command center of the West Garo Hills is Tura, which is positioned 657 metres over sea level. Tura has a charming setting of hills above the extensive curves of the great Brahmaputra River on the plains beneath. The Tura Peak is adjacent to the town and it is the perfect location for climbers, trekkers as well as naturalists.

The state boasts of two National Parks namely Nobrek as well as Balpakam, and two wildlife shelters known as Nongkyllem and Siju.
Balpakram National Park

Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is situated in the Garo Hills district at a distance of 2 kms from Tura Peak. The reserve is one of the least spoilt forest zones of the sub-Himalayan stretches. It is the foremost biosphere reserve of its type in the northeast expanse. The Garo Hills possesses numerous natural limestone caves. The renowned Siju Cave is positioned extremely near the Nophak Lake adjacent to the Simsang River Game Reserve. The cave overflows with water and stretches for miles.

Top
SHILLONG ‘SCOTLAND OF THE EAST’
 
Shillong also referred to as Scotland of the East for its scenic grandeur is the capital of Meghalaya, an important state of the North East region of India. It is positioned at an average elevation of 4,908 ft (1,496 m) over sea level. According to a previous census the city is populated by nearly 260,000 denizens. Shillong has gradually developed in size and importance in its own customary means from a simple village of the past when it was transformed into the new civil station of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills in 1864 by the British. It continued to the summer capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam for a number of years. In 1874, when Assam came into being as a Chief Commissioner's Province, it was selected as the headquarters of the new administration due to its expedient position between the Brahmaputra and Surma Valley and additionally since the climate of Shillong was much cooler in comparison to tropical India. Shillong continued to be the capital of undivided Assam till the formation of the new state of Meghalaya on January 21, 1972 when Shillong was made the capital of Meghalaya and Dispur became the capital of Assam.

Attributable to its position and elevated terrain, Shillong has a sub-tropical climate with gentle summers and frosty to bitter winters. Shillong is exposed to the tough monsoon conditions. The monsoons descend on the state in June and there is rainfall approximately the end of August. October-November and March-April are the appropriate periods to travel to Shillong. Shillong is a hill station that can be accessed by means of motorable roads all throughout. However Shillong is devoid of railway tracks. Umroi is a small airport, about 30 km from Shillong. At this airport the majority of the flights land on specific days of the week. Roughly 120km from Shillong, Guwahati is the nearest major airport and railway station. Cherrapunjee and Umiam Lake which are popular destinations for tourists are located close to Shillong.

A previous census records Shillong’s population as 232,876. Males comprise 50% of the populace while females constitute 50%. Shillong boasts of an average literacy rate of 80%, which is superior to the countrywide average of 59.5%. Literacy among men is estimated to be 83%, while female literacy is about 78%. The majority of the population in Shillong consists of the Khasis who reside alongside other northeast Indian tribes together with large numbers of Bengali, Nepali, Assamese, Biharis and Marwaris making it a rather multi-ethnic urban area.

Christianity is the principal religion of Shillong with protestants constituting three-fourth of the population while Catholics accounting for the remaining one-fourth. A considerable percentage of the residents pursue the original Khasi faith. Other religions that are prevalent in India can also be traced in Shillong.

Shillong is separated physically into several areas. These consist of Mawlai, Laitumkhrah, Pynthorumkhrah, Jaiaw, Mawkhar, Mission compound, Malki, Rynjah, Nonthymmai, Umpling, Nonmynsong, Lumparing, Riatsamthiah, Lamavilla, Mawprem, Jhalupara, Nongsohpoh, Barapathar, Laban, Happy Valley, Madanrting, Laitkor, Firebrigade, Lower Lachumiere, Upper Lachumiere, Old Kench's Trace, New Kench's Trace, Polo, Rilbong Burnside, Jail Road

Top
THE SHILLONG GOLF COURSE
 
The Shillong Golf Course in Shillong boasts of being one of India's oldest golf courses. Shillong has the distinction of possessing one of the biggest golf courses in Asia known as "Glen Eagle of the East". It is considered to be one of the few natural golf courses in Asia. The Shillong course is noted for its picturesque grandeur characterized by its appeal. Golf was initiated n Shillong in 1898 by a group of British Civil Service officers who built a nine hole course in its preliminary stages. The contemporary 18 hole course was put in place in 1924.The course is positioned in an undulating valley swathed by pine as well as rhododendron trees.


Top
MAJOR EDUCATIONAL HUB
 
Shillong is a major educational hub of the north east and has made significant contribution in terms of academic development of the region. The highly esteemed business school, the IIM Shillong is located in the city. Other institutions of repute include NIFT or National Institute of Fashion Technology, and NEIGRIHMS or North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences. Headquartered in Shillong and with campuses in Tura, the North Eastern Hill University is the principal university. Shillong boasts of a number of important centres of learning which include St Anthony's College, Shillong, St. Edmund's College, St. Mary's College, St. Mary's College of Teacher Education, Shillong College, Shillong Commerce College, Lady Keane College, Sankardev College, Raid Laban College, Umshyrpi College, Union Christian College,Barapani (Umiam Lake), Budha Bhanu Saraswati College, Mawprem, Shillong Womens College.

Some of the schools that have made notable contributions to the enrichment of education in the state include Assam Rifles Public School, St. Edmund's School, Shillong, St.Peter's School, St.Anthony's School, Loreto Convent, St.Margaret's School, St.Mary's School, Pine Mount School, Shillong Public School, All Saint's School, Seven Set School, Kendriya Vidyalaya NEHU, Lady Keane School, Laitumkhrah Presbyterian School, Army School, Shillong, Laban Bengalee Boys' Higher Secondary School, St.Johns Whitehall, Queenie Secondary School, Laban, Shillong, Mawprem Modern Higher Secondary School, Mawprem, Shillong and B.K. Bajoria,Shillong

Top
EATERIES OF SHILLONG
 
Shillong boasts of a number of restaurants which are famous for the delicate and mouthwatering cuisines served by them for the connoisseurs of good food. Some of the well-known eateries of Shillong include The Granary, City Hut Dhaba, Broadway Restaurant, La Gallerie, Palomino, The Wok,
Vilippi Restaurant, TKS Dinning Room, Bamboo Hut Restaurant, Bread Café, Cloud 9, Cafe Coffee Day and Eden Restaurant.
Top
SHILLONG HOTELS
 
There are a number of hotels that provide excellent accommodation for a comfortable stay for visitors who come to explore the charm of The Scotland of the East. The major hotels of Shillong are Pinewood Hotel, Broadway Hotel, Centre Point Hotel, Hotel Pegasus Crown, Hotel Yalana, Hotel Alpine Continental, and Hotel Polo Towers.
Top
CITY OF MUSIC ENTHUSIASTS
 
Shillong is regarded as the rock music hub of India. A number of international and Indian rock groups perform in Shillong each year. Shillong has also seen the rise of a number of musicians whose feats are significantly acknowledged all over India. Some of the International rock bands that have enthralled the music lovers of Shillong in the past are Eric Martin's Band, Iron Maiden (Paul Di'Anno), Scorpions, Firehouse, Petra (a Gospel Rock band)
Sepultura, Bob Fitts (Gospel Singer), Michael Learns To Rock, Mr Big, White Lion.

Shillong is also the home to a number of local rock groups that include Soulmates, Revel Soul, Great Society, King Apple, Snow White, Colors and Midnight Garden Factor.

Top


 

 
 
© Exoticecho.com. All rights reserved. Home |Contact Us |About Us |News & Views
 
Website Developed by Suzikline Infomedia, ranadam@rediffmail.com