Overview
"ABODE OF CLOUDS" No one is sure who gave Shillong the sobriquet ``Scotland of the East``, but sure it has a lot of resemblances – the rain-drenched corrugated meadows and strongly clannish society, being just two aspects. But the Capital of Meghalaya, in northeastern India, at 1,496 meters, has more to it than just airs. Today Shillong is a blend of the divine and the mundane- remnant of the Raj, virgin nature, astounding ethnic colors, exotic orchids, cascading waterfalls, mysterious and sacred forest groves, unpredictable weather, an 18 – hole championship golf course, probably the best Chinese / Tibetan cuisine food east of Kolkata and of course growing unplanned urbanization.
Also known as the rock capital of Meghalaya, Shillong is a sure- fireplace round the year. Though the best time to visit in Shillong is during Christmas, March – April is the tourist season.
From museums to gambling, to some exotic shopping to winemaking – it's all happening in Shillong and our Shillong Travel Guide provides you with all the information to make your stay hassle-free and memorable. The city’s major sightseeing attractions center on the churches and exquisite and abundant, natural wonders in the vicinity of the capital are also talked here at Kiomoi.
Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, a picturesque city often referred as ‘Scotland of the East’ with captivating beautiful landscapes. Offering the blissful beauty of nature and the rich culture of Meghalaya, Shillong is indeed a complete package to experience. If you are looking for the best Meghalaya Tour Packages, then it is highly recommended to add Shillong to your itinerary. For the everlasting memories with your partner, don’t forget to book yourself one of the Meghalaya Honeymoon Packages that could start your newlywed life with a spark. Now let’s get started with this Shillong Tour Packages to make you experience the city’s warmth, despite the cold.
The ideal time to visit Shillong is from September to May, as the weather is most pleasing and complementing the nature’s scenic beauty. Looking through Shillong Tour Packages, you will find lot of places that are included but still here are some of these Top Places to Visit in Shillong that are a must visit to make your experience more whole some;Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, Don Bosco Museum and Laitlum Canyons. Visit Umiam Lake, the man-made majestic reservoir surrounded by lush hills and serene views, at Elephant Falls witness a beautiful waterfall cascading in three layers through lush greenery. For a thrilling trekking experience and breathtaking panoramas visit the Laitlum Canyons. Get immersed in the rich culture and heritage of Meghalaya at the Don Bosco Museum, showcasing the diverse cultures of the northeastern states, offering an enriching experience for families and cultural enthusiasts it becomes a must include place in your Meghalaya Family Tour Packages. Shillong have diverse tribal communities that add to the city’s vibrant cultural tapestry. Also known as the ‘Music Capital of India’, Shillong boasts a vibrant music culture that is a testament to its youthful vibe and the westernized culture.
Shillong's serene beauty holds you in a trance, the hills, Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, the bustling Police Bazaar along with the rich, diverse culture and heritage mixed with the warmth of hospitality of Meghalayan people, creates a wholesome package to enjoy the tour to its fullest and the mesmerizing views of nature that gets engraved in your heart.
Local Society: Geographically, culturally all the places in India differ from each other but there is another difference that can be observed in Shillong (Meghalaya). All the states in India have a patrilineal type of society whereas Shillong has a matrilineal society. As compared to other regions here in Shillong, women lead society and have more status than the men.
The women have the freedom to work for themselves, though they do not have a say in the community matters. The women have great respect in the society. The society in Shillong does not allow customs where the bride has to pay dowry while getting married.
Here women are considered very respectful as they give birth to the new generation. They have to execute all their household duties. Men make the decisions for the family but they have to consult with the women in the household.
Laws of Inheritance in Meghalaya Society Some special rules regarding the inheritance of the property are observed in Shillong. The maternal property is inherited by the youngest daughter, whereas the rest of her sisters would be provided with some part of the property from it during their parent's lifetime. Also, there are some practices observed by the tribal of the region. If the head of the tribe dies or retires then the son of his eldest sister will be his heir. It has been seen that women are held a very high position in the family as compared to social activities where men take over everything.
Local Khasi Tribe: The Khasis are the predominant tribe in the Shillong area. Believed to have originated in Southeast Asia, their language belongs to the Mon – Khmer group. It is not known when they migrated to this region. Today, the majority of Khasis are Christians, their ancestors converted by British missionaries in the 19th century. Meghalaya is dotted with timeless stone monoliths erected as memorials for tribal chieftains. Local Khasi “monarchies” are still nominally ruled by Syiem (traditional ruler).
Nevertheless, they retain many of their tribal customs. Chief among these is their matrilineal social structure, which dictates that landed property can only be inherited by females, with the youngest daughter given a special position as custodian of the family house and the clan’s traditional rituals.
The Khasi women wear a jainnkyrsha pinafore in gingham – checked cotton, fastened on one shoulder and overlaid with a tartan shawl. Most Khasis consider Kwai (betel) chewing a semi-religious habit. Khasi markets work on an eight-day rotation and some village fairs feature Yaturmasi (bull versus bullfights).
Festivals and Events: Throughout the year there are several festivals celebrated in and around Shillong. If someone is planning to visit the region then he should plan his trip around the dates of these festivals. The main festivals of Shillong are:
Wangala Festival is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Shillong. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated in the honor of Saljong, the Sun-god of fertility. The festival is celebrated to symbolize the end of a period of toil and brings the good output of the fields. The festival is also celebrated to mark the onset of winter. The festival is also known as the 100 drums festival. On the occasion of the festival, the tribes of the region pay homage to the Sun God by giving sacrifices. The festival is usually celebrated for two days. The ceremonies on the first day of the festival are celebrated at the house of the chief and are known as "Ragula". The second day of the festival is known as "Kakkat". People dressed in their colorful costumes dance to the tune of music which is played on long oval-shaped drums.
The festival Shad Suk Mynsiem of Meghalaya is also known as the `Dance of Contentment`. The festival is celebrated in the month of April at the Wrecking grounds near Shillong. It is an important festival celebrated by the tribes of Khasis. The festival is celebrated in order to pay homage to god and thank him for giving a bumper harvest. People dressed in their traditional fineries dance along with the beats of drums and pipes (tangmuri). The festival is celebrated for three days.
The Nongkrem dance festival is celebrated during autumn and continues for five days. The festival is performed to seek blessings from the all-powerful Goddess Ka Blei Synshar in order to have a rich bumper harvest. The Pemblang ceremony during the festival is conducted by the Syiem of Khyrim along with the high priest. During the five-day-long festival the goats are sacrificed and the offerings are made to the ancestor and ancestress of the ruling clan of Shillong peak. The unmarried girls wearing traditional costumes perform dance routines
