SHILLONG ---- THE SCOTLAND OF THE EAST

SHILLONG ---- THE SCOTLAND OF THE EAST By: Paromita Chowdhury http://www.hedir.com Northeast India is known by its scenic beauty. Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram are the states, which complete the beauty of Northeastern India. These states are also called as seven sisters. The land of lash green meadow and forever monsoon --- that’s Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. It used to be the capital of Assam from 1874 to 1972. Shillong is located at an altitude of 1496 meters above sea level in the hills of eastern sub-Himalayas. The name “Shillong” was derived from “Leishyllong”, the Superpower or God. This beautiful hill station is compared with Scotland like the way Kashmir is compared with Switzerland. This hill station is connected by a long road in between high hills and deep elevations with the rest of the country through Guwahati, Silchar and Garo Hills. The nearest airport is at Umroi, 30 km. from Shillong, which connects this lovely city by air with the rest of the country. Guwahati to Shillong: A journey from the plains to hills: In order to reach this beautiful hill station you have to take the car/ MTDC’s bus (Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation) from Guwahati. The journey is superb and it will give you the pleasure to its core. As the road goes, you can see trees allover. You will see the great “Barapani” lake while going to Shillong. The scenic beauty is excellentespecially if it rains! After 3-4 hours, you will reach Shillong safely. Hotels: The perfect hosts: Though a small hill station, yet there are many hotels from which you can find your own. These are a few of them:

1. Pinewood Hotel: Rita Road, Europian Ward, Shillong 793001. Tel: 2223116/ 2223146/ 2223263 Fax: 0364-2224176. pwhotel@neline.com 2. Tripura Castle (Royal Heritage): Shillong - 793003 Tel: 2501111/ 2501149, Fax : 0364-2225239. rh_tripuracastle@rediffmail.com 3. Hotel Alpine Continental: Thana Road / Quinton Road, Shillong - 793001 Phone: 0364-2220981(5 lines) Fax: (91) 0364 – 2220996. alpineshillong@hotmail.com 4. Hotel Center Point (3 Star): Police Bazar, Shillong, Phone: (0364) - 2225210/ 2220480 Fax: 0364 – 2225239. 5. Hotel Polo Towers (3 Star): Polo Grounds Oakland Road, Shillong - 793 001 Phone: 0364-2222341/ 42, Fax: 91-0364-2220090. htp@vsnl.com.

6. Hotel Pegasus Crown (3 Star): Police Bazar, Shillong - 793 001, Phone: 0364 – 2220667, Fax: 2228835. 7. Shillong Club: M.G. Road, Shillong, Phone: 2226672/ 2225497. 8. Orchid Hotel: Polo Road, Shillong - 793 001, Phone: (0364) 2224933, Fax 2222731. There are many more hotels and lodge situated there, according to your convenience you can choose them. You will get almost every kind of hospitality and help in these hotels. The range varies from Rs. 200 to Rs. 1500 for 1 day stay at these hotels. There are many, so it is up to you to select the suitable one for you. Hidden beauties of Shillong : The places to visit: Shillong Peak:: You can take a car to visit these places. I would suggest you to start with the highest place of Shillong – the Shillong Peak. If the sky is clear and there is no silver lining, then you can see the top view of the city. This is 1965 meters above the sea level and about 10 km from the city itself.

Ward’s lake:: There is a lovely lake covered with different flowers, plants and trees. Ward’s lake, you can feel happy by feeding the colourful fishes there. The location is great, you can enjoy boating as well as watching the fishes there.There is a beautiful garden jest nearby, which is called as The Botanical Garden. As the name suggests, various trees and plants complement it to the fullest. Lady Hydari Park:: A beautiful rose garden is named after the wife of an Ex- Governor of Shillong --- Lady Hydari Park.Your kids will definitely enjoy the company of you along with the deer. Even the mini zoo will entertain you as long as you are here. Shillong is a place of Waterfalls:: There are different waterfalls in and around this small but lovely hill station. If you step into Shillong then watching these falls are “a must” for you. There are too many waterfalls in and around Shillong. Bishop and Beadon falls, Elephanta Falls, Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Falls, Crinoline Falls (very near to Lady Hydari Park) etc. The beauty of these places cannot be described in mere words. Shillong is rich in having caves, too. the way from one side to another of the caves is challenging, exciting and enjoyable. While visiting the falls, try to reach the bottom of it through the slippery stone-steps. It will be a little risky but you’ll certainly have an amazing feeling. This Cathedral is also very nice, it is calm and quite as expected. Whatever may be your region, you will always find peace there. Golf club:: Shillong is famous for having the biggest natural Golf course of Asia. The greenery of this place is hard to find anywhere else. Anyone who would visit this place once would definitely love to go again and again. The beauty would isolate you from the rest of the world. Moreover, you will love the oneness with this place. Shillong : The city: The city itself attracts the tourists for its innocent views and natural beauty. When you reach the city, your car will drop you at Police Bazar at that’s the heart of the city and most of the hotels are situated there. This is the market as well as the best hang out for all. You can buy local made things from the emporium and from roadside also. The market may be very small but the collection of dresses, shoes, accessories, warm clothes gifts, bamboo made items etc. are plenty. Have a look at “Glory’s Plaza” which is actually run by the Bhutanese people. This market is mainly famous for western outfits and accessories. It’s a three storied building which is designed well to attract the shoppers of the city. If you love sweets then do not miss “Delhi Darbaar” and “EC”s restaurants. These are very popular and the food quality is great. Shillong is also famous for “Momos”, as most of the hill stations are. The momos are equally good even you take them from the roadside. Shillong : the only matriarchal society in Northeast : Khasis are the main local people here. They are simple, innocent and straightforward . there is something very interesting in their social structure. This is an interesting fact that Shillong is a female dominated society. If you observe them carefully, you can realize it. One thing I like about this place most is that, the girls and the women go to office in the daytime and work in the evening. These works include selling fishes and vegetables to clothes and accessories. Even you will find them in the beer shops, too. I guess other than Kerala it is only Shillong where the guy leaves his parents and goes to the girl’s home to stay after marriage. I’ve been to many hill stations but Shillong attracts me the most. May be because I was born there! Or may be because I can touch the clouds there!! Whatever it is, I’m sure that anyone would fall in love immediately with the scenic beauty, the greenery and the simplicity of the town. It is small but the people are emotionally attached with each other. They celebrate Durga Puja and Christmas together with high enthusiasm and great belief. It is always the best time whenever you visit this lovely hill station; here are some general guidelines and information for the hill-lovers….. Roads to reach the top: Connections by air, road and rail are available at a distance of 101kms in Guwahati from anywhere in India. Let me see, if you come from mumbai, a one way air ticket would cost you Rs. 8,000 with a connecting flight from Kolkatta to Guwahati and then a bus or taxi from there to Shillong would come anywhere in the range of Rs.100 to Rs.1200 depending on factors such as AC or non-ac etc. From Delhi, it is around Rs. 6000 one-way by air and is a direct flight to Guwahati. Trains cost you anywhere between Rs.1500 to Rs.3000. If you are coming from outside India, then you have to step in Kolkata or Delhi first. From there it is easier to reach Shillong by air or by train. Shillong is a place to relax, to take deep breath and visit some excellent picturesque. It would take minimum 1 week to see all the places there. Then you can visit Cherrapunjee (56 kms) and Dwaki (86 kms.) too. Cherrapunjee is called as the place of “Rain Gods”. You can take the MTDC tour packages to visit in and around of Shillong. If you are confident enough then just book a car and explore the places yourself. Whatever suits you better is just perfect for you. Whatever way, you should go there to feel the ups and downs, the free flowing falls and the inner beauty of Shillong. Shillong : The capital of Meghalaya: Altitude - 1496 meters. Climate (deg C) Summer - Max 23.3, Min 15 Winter - Max 15.6, Min 3.9 Clothings - Generally light woolen clothes are used during summer but you need jackets, leather jackets, sweaters and shawls during winter. Languages spoken – English, Khasi, Hindi, Bengali. Season - Throughout the year.

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