From Kolkata
Get a birds’ eye view
of Shillong from the sky…a lively city that paints a pretty picture…A vision of
snug wooden cottages and red tiled roofs rubbing shoulders with each other, nudging at
terraced hills. This capital of the eastern state of Meghalaya lies on a 1520 m high
plateau. The Diengiei Hills and the Assam Valley peaks loom up in the distance, hemming in
the Umiam gorge and the Umiam River. The view from Shillong Peak is
amazing; this is the highest point in the city, from where you can glimpse the entire city
veiled in clouds. Shillong by night will take your breath away, with its millions of
lights glimmering like a galaxy.
Within Shillong city is the
flower bedecked Ward’s Lake encircled by whispering pine groves.
This is a pleasant place to go boating or to feed the colourful fish while standing on the
bridge across the lake. You’ll love the walks in this city although it does get a
little crowded with cars in the afternoon. Lady Hydari Park doubles up as
a miniature zoo and is a short distance away from Ward’s Lake. A visit to the St.
Mary’s Christian Cathedral at Dhankheti is a must – it has beautiful
stained glass windows and the grotto is carved out of a single rock. The bells of the
cathedral resonate across the city at dawn, in the afternoon and at dusk.
Shillong is a city
of waterfalls - feel the spray from the Crinoline Falls, from the two
Gunner’s Falls, Spread Eagle, Elephant Gait and Elephant Falls, Beadon and the Sweet
Falls. Quite the most spectacular falls, however, are at Cherrapunjee, 56
km away, a town that was once billed as the wettest place on earth.
Shillong is a throbbing
city, full of vibrant energy and one that enjoys keeping abreast of development. Yet it
has a serenity and beauty that add to its unassuming simplicity. This, combined with the
comfortable climate, makes Shillong a great holiday getaway from the Kolkata fast lane. |
