Facts about Meghalaya – Explained In Detail

In General Knowledge
April 9, 2017

Facts About Meghalaya – Meghalaya, a hilly strip in eastern India, covers a total area of just 22,429 sq km. It was originally a part of Assam, but on 21 January 1972, the districts of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hills became a part of this beautiful northeastern state. Shillong, the capital of the state is a popular hill station. There are several falls in and around Shillong. The Shillong peak is highest in the state and is good for trekking. It is also known as the ‘abode of the gods’ and has excellent views.

State Symbols of Meghalaya

State Animal	Clouded Leopard
State Bird	Hill Myna
State Flower	Lady Slipper Orchid
State Tree	Gamhar
Major Crops	Potato, Cotton, Pineapple, Orange
Languages	Khasi, Garo, Jaintia, Bengali, Assamese, English

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Meghalaya

Nokrek National Park
Balpakram National Park
Nongkhyllem Wildlife sanctuary
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
Siju Bird Sanctuary

Rivers in Meghalaya

Simsang
Manda
Darming
Ringge
Gamol
Bugi

Major Dance and Music forms

Shad Sukmynsiem
Shad Nongkrem
Doregata dances

Festivals

Wangala (Harvest Festival)
Shad Nongkrem

Famous Places in Meghalaya

Shillong: The capital of this state, Shillong is also known as Scotland of the East. It is a hill station and has rolling hills and narrow lanes that remind you of Scotland.
Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures: The Don Bosco Museum situated in Shillong is one of the major tourist destinations of Meghalaya. A visit to this place will make you privy to the rich, multi-cultural lifestyle of the indigenous people of the entire north-eastern states of India.
Mawsmai Cave: Mawsmai Cave located in Cherrapunji is an experience of a lifetime that every traveller should have. There are narrow paths that are entwined with each other.
Garo Hills: Garo Hills is situated in the western part of Meghalaya. Garo Hills are home to Nokrek Biosphere Reserve (pictured above), Balpakram National Park and also the Siju Wildlife Sanctuary.
Elephant Falls: The structure on the black rocks resembles an elephant and hence the name. The rock structure was destroyed during an earthquake.
Nohkalikai Falls: Located near Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, Nohkalikai Falls are the tallest in India flowing from a height of 1115 feet (340 mt). The force of the water is so strong that there is a waterhole that has been carved.

Famous Personalities of Meghalaya

Arundhati Roy (Shillong) – The author of the novel The God of Small Things
Patricia Mukhim – A renowned journalist and social activist, Patricia Mukhim has become one of the credible voices of the society.
James Micheal Lyngdoh – was the Chief Election Commissioner of India from 2001 to 2004.
Tipriti Kharbangar, an integral member of the blues band Soulmate, is regarded as one of the finest blues singers to have emerged from this part of the country.
Rudy Wallang plays, sings and also writes the songs. Along with Tipriti, he is regarded as one of the best Blues singers in the country.
Ronnie Lahiri is one of the note-worthy producers in the Hindi film industry. Ronnie is one of the many unknown Shillongites who is slowly but surely making their mark in the competitive industry.
Manas Chaudhuri is a former MLA who was also the editor of the most widely circulated English daily of Meghalaya, The Shillong Times.

Amazing Facts About Meghalaya

Meghalaya is a young state in India. It is in the North-East region of India.
Meghalaya became an autonomous state by virtue of Assam Reorganization (Meghalaya) Act, 1969 and North East Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971.
On January 21, 1972, the new state of Meghalaya was formed. The districts included were Khasi hills, Jaintia hills and Garo hills.
The literal meaning of the term “Meghalaya” is “Abode of Clouds”.
The majority of the people in Meghalaya are Tribal people. The largest tribal community in Meghalaya are the Khasi people.
English is the official language of Meghalaya. Khasi and Garo are additional languages.
Meghalaya is a beautiful state and hence widely known as “Scotland of the East”
Meghalaya has a number of ancient caves. A cave namely Jaintia Hills is long more than 22 km and connects two separate caves in the area.
Meghalaya shares an international border with Bangladesh. It is one of the most interesting and lesser-known facts about Meghalaya.