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Cherrapunji features prominently in the southern fringes of Khasi Hills that are always enveloped by the rolling clouds. This little town is also called as Sohra and comes across as one of the most significant tourist destination in Meghalaya. The name Meghalaya literally means “Abode of the Clouds” and as the name suggests it is one of the wettest places on the earth that receives the highest rainfall in the world with Cherrapunji holding Guinness book of World record as the wettest place on earth. This status of Cherrapunji has however changed due to the Global warming and heavy deforestation. Today it has thus slipped to the second place with close by Mawsynram holding the record for highest rainfall.
As for the beauty of this immaculate town- it is surrounded with verdant pine forested hills, pretty white streamlets, cascading waterfalls, and its tranquil temperate climate that is always shrouded with the army of clouds. Due to its climate, this town is sometimes compared to Scotland.As for its history, David Scott, the political agent of the East India Company arrived at Cherrapunji in the early 19th Century via Syhlet district of erstwhile East Bengal. Under Scott, Cherrapunji came to be known as the ‘Cherra Station’ and he made it the official headquarters of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. Subsequently it also served as the capital of Assam before the British moved the capital to Shillong. Later on Sohra saw immense change after the Welsh Mission arrived here.
A typical itinerary of Cherrapunji will include a visit to its spectacular waterfalls, deep valleys and evergreen misty landscapes. The town also boasts of having a few fascinating stone gorges noted among which are Riat-Maw-Iew, Maw-Laikhlieh and Riat-U-Shain. The heavy monsoon rains over these mountains undoubtedly creates in Sohra(Cherrapinji) one of the rarest bio-diverse vegetations in the world. Explore nature in its virgin self with Cherrapunji.
History Of Cherrapunji
As in days gone by, the faces of Cherrapunji change not with the seasons, but with the pattern of rainfall. The heaviest downpours span approximately five long months-from May until September. The clouds then are dark and menacing, full blown with rain, which descends earthwards with the stinging force of a whiplash.
Throughout these months, Cherrapunji is transformed into a sea of tiny, gushing rivulets. The raindrops beat incessantly on rooftops and treetops creating a compelling tattoo of awesome sounds, which cannot be savored anywhere else but in the Northeastern states. These are also the 'record-making' months, which contribute to records such as the stunning 22,987 mm of rainfall in 1861. The annual average rainfall of Cherrapunji stands today at 10,871 millimeters. Barely 10 km from Cherrapunji stands the village of Mawsynram, which has snatched away the heaviest rainfall record, with 12,163 millimeters of rainfall.
With the passage of September, the rhythm of the rain-its main force spent-changes to a gentle patter. And the Khasis and other residents of Cherrapunji, the flora, and the fauna respond to the change in the Rain God's mood. Soft pastel shades begin to appear in skies that were gray all day and rainbows that are a photographer's delight begin to make unexpected guest appearances.
Meghalaya Tourism From a sea of gentle white clouds, proud hills rise - dappled in every shade of green, with waterfalls spilling down their lengths. Yes, this is Meghalaya - the state known as the “abode of clouds”. Move a little closer and you will notice a whole world captured in the embrace of emerald green forests where small streams twist and turn. You will catch the glimmer of serene lakes, where shades of blue and green seep into each other. Turn your gaze to East Khasi hills of Meghalaya and there lies Shillong – the capital of Meghalaya, which was affectionately referred to as the “Scotland of the East” by the Britishers. If heaven is a place on earth, then that place is Meghalaya.
