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| Meghalaya Map |
Etymology of the word Meghalaya
In languages like Sanskrit and other forms of Indic dialects, the expression or term Meghalaya stands for the abode of the clouds. The name is absolutely ideal since the whole state is home to many mountain ranges.
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| Meghalaya Travel Map |
Meghalaya is a dream come true for the tourist. It is a happy land of magnificent beauty, undulating hills, rolling grasslands, cascading waterfalls, snaking rivers, terraced slopes and thrilling wildlife.Some of the important tourist spots are Uniam Lake, Kyllang Rock, Nohsngithiang falls at Mawsmai, and the monoliths of Nartiang.
One of the North Eastern states of India, Meghalaya is a sylvan beauty of breathtaking beauty. It is bounded on the south and southwest by Bangladesh and on all other sides by the state of Assam. The area is 22,429 square kilometres. The capital is the hill town of Shillong.
| Capital | Shillong |
| Area ('000 sq.km ) | 22 |
| Population('000 in 1991) | 1,775 |
| Principal Languages | Khasi, Garo and English |
| Females per 1000 males (1991) | 955 |
| Literacy rate (1991) | 49.1 |
| Ratio of urban population (1991) | 18.6 |
| Net Domestic Product (Rs. million at current prices in 1992-93) | 10,710 |
| Per Capita Income (Rs. at current prices in 1992-93) | 5,769 |
Meghalaya--literally "Abode (alaya) of the Clouds (megha)"--occupies a mountainous plateau of great scenic beauty where the average elevation is just under 2000 m (6500 ft). One of the wettest regions on earth, Cherrapunji lies 56 km from Shillong; it has mind-boggling annual rainfall average of 450 inches (11,430 mm) over a 74-year period, the highest ever recorded in Asia and the second highest in the world. The climate of Meghalaya is generally mild. In August the mean temperature at Shillong (in the Khasi Hills) is 70° F (21° C); it falls to 49° F (9.5° C) in January. Annual rainfall in Shillong, only 50 miles from Cherrapunji, is 92 inches.
Meghalaya has a single-chamber Legislative Assembly of 60 seats. The state sends three members to the Indian national parliament: one to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) and two to the Lok Sabha (lower house). The state has seven administrative districts--the East and West Garo Hills, the East and West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Ri-Bhoi and the South Garo Hills.
History
The Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes each had their own kingdoms until the British annexed them in the 19th century to build a road through the region. Eventually, the British incorporated Meghalaya into Assam in 1835. After the Independence in 1947, Meghalaya was accorded autonomous status within Assam. However the Meghalayans were not complacent with the arrangement and launched a peaceful and constitutional struggle for greater independence. The turning point in their struggle came when Assam introduced Assamese as the state language, a language alien to the tribes of Meghalaya. The Centre recognized their plight and their right for a state of their own. Meghalaya became a full-fledged state in 1972
Society and Culture
The original inhabitants of this state are Khasis, Jaintias and Garos who are a predominantly tribal lot. A common cultural tradition of all the tribes of Meghalaya is the matriarchal law of inheritance by which, custody to property and succession of family position runs through the female line, passing from the mother to the youngest daughter, instead of the male line as is common elsewhere in the country.
Animism (the worship of nature deities and other spirits), Hinduism, and Christianity are the main religions. There is also a small minority of Muslims and even smaller groups of Buddhists and Sikhs. Traditional customs are maintained, and religious festivals include varied forms of dance, an important element in the local culture. Khasi and Garo are the principal languages; together with Jaintia and English they are also official languages.
The area is rich in tribal culture and folklore. Drinking and dancing to the accompaniment of music from buffalo horn singas, bamboo flutes, and drums are integral parts of religious ceremonies and social functions. Marriages are exogamous. The advent of Christianity in the mid-19th century, along with its strict morality, has disrupted many of the tribal and communal institutions.
Festivals vary according to the region and tribe. Festivals, apart from those of the Christian faith, are held annually. This is a time when the ancestral spirits are appeased, following sowing and harvesting. Ka Pomblang Nongkrem, or the Nongkrem dance, is one of the most important Khasi festivals. Shad Sukmynsiem is another important festival of the Khasis. Behdiengkhlam, the most significant festival of the Jaintias is celebrated in July. Wangala, is the prominent festival of the Garos and is dedicated to the Sun God.
Economy and Infrastructure
Meghalaya has abundant but untapped natural resources, including coal, limestone, kaolin, feldspar, quartz, mica, gypsum, bauxite, and other minerals. Its sillimanite deposits (a source of high-grade ceramic clay) are reputedly the best in the world and account for almost all of India's sillimanite output. Meghalaya has no heavy industries; small-scale industries include cement, plywood, and beverage factories, in addition to a newly established electronics plant
Important fruits grown here are orange, pineapple, lemon, guava, jackfruit and bananas, while potato, jute, mesta, cotton, arecanut, ginger, turmeric, betel leaf and black pepper are the chief commercial crops. 'Jhum' or the shifting system of cultivation is being replaced with scientific methods, bringing land under permanent cultivation. Forest resources from pine and other timber products bring in the major chunk of state revenue
Internal communications are poor, and many areas remain isolated. There are no railways in Meghalaya. A national highway runs through the state from Guwahati (Assam) in the north to Karimganj (Assam)
in the south. The only airport in the state is located at Umroi, 31 km from Shillong
Hotels of Meghalaya
The State has hotels of star and non star category catering to the needs of the tourists visiting Meghalaya. Besides it has resorts, restaurants and cafes which cater to the needs of all segment of travelers.
Meghalaya is an important state in Northeast India. The state is a mountainous band in the eastern region of the Republic of India.Etymology of the word Meghalaya
In languages like Sanskrit and other forms of Indic dialects, the expression or term Meghalaya stands for the abode of the clouds. The name is absolutely ideal since the whole state is home to many mountain ranges.
Geographical features of Meghalaya
The state of Meghalaya covers a total area of 22,720 km2 or 8,700 sq miles. The state shares its borders with Assam to the north and Bangladesh to the south. The breadth of the mountainous band named Meghalaya is about 100 km and the length of the strip is approximately 300 km from east to west.
Approximately 33% of the territory is wooded. The characteristics of the jungles in the hills are different from that of the rain forests in the plains or valleys in the south and north. The jungles of the state are famous for their biodiversity of avifauna, animals, and trees. Earlier, the entire territory formed a portion of the state of Assam. Nevertheless, on January 21, 1972, the following districts formed the new state of Meghalaya:
- Garo
- Khasi
- and Jaintia hills district
- Limestone
- Coal
- Sillimanite
- Uranium
- Granite
- Kaolin
Districts in Meghalaya
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| Meghalaya District Map |
- East Khasi Hills (created in 1976)
- East Garo Hills (created in 1976)
- Ri-Bhoi (created in 1992)
- Jaintia Hills (created in 1972)
- West Garo Hills
- South Garo Hills (created in 1992)
- West Khasi Hills (created in 1976)
Major rivers in Meghalaya
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| Meghalaya River Map |
- Sanda
- Daring
- Bhogai
- Bandra
- Simsang
- Dareng
- Bhupai
- Nitai
- Digaru
- Umkhri
- Jadukata (Kynchiang)
- Umiam
- Barapani or Umiew
- Mawpa
- Myntdu
- Myngot
Climate of Meghalaya
The state of Meghalaya is the wettest area in the world. The yearly mean precipitation in certain places can go up to 1200 cm. The western segment of the upland, including the Garo Hills area with lesser altitudes, witnesses typically high temperatures round the year. With the tallest altitudes, Shillong witnesses normally low temperatures. The highest temperature in this area hardly ever crosses 82°F (28°C) while temperatures less than 0°C are not unusual.
Cherrapunji, a town located in the Khasi Hills has the world record for the maximum amount of precipitation in a calendar month. It lies to the south of Shillong. Mawsynram, a village closely located to Cherrapunji, has the record of witnessing the maximum amount of rain in a year.
The ideal occasion to visit the state is from March to July.
Population of Meghalaya
According to the census performed in the year 2011, the population of the state is 2,964,007 and it ranks as the 23rd most populated state in the Republic of India. The city of Shillong is home to about 260,000 people.
Government of Meghalaya: An Overview
The state features a unicameral legislative assembly with 60 seats. The state does not have a High Court of its own. The Gauhati High Court has jurisdiction over the state.
Present Governor of Meghalaya
The present Governor of Meghalaya is His Excellency Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary.
Current Chief Minister of Meghalaya
At present, the Chief Minister of the state is Mukul Sangma. He represents the Indian National Congress.
Demographic features of Meghalaya
Most of the people of the state are tribals. The biggest ethnic community is the Khasis and the Garos hold the second position. The British referred them as mountainous clans. Other clans and ethnic communities include the following:
- The Koch
- The Jaintias
- The Boro
- The linked Rajbongshi
- Dimasa
- Hajong
- Kuki
- Hmar
- Mikir
- Lakhar
- Nepali
- Rabha
Most of the population of the state is Christians and the percentage of population they represent is 70.3%. The next important religion is Hinduism (13.3%). Other religions practiced in the state include the following:
- Animism
- Islam
Major languages in Meghalaya
The major languages used in the state are as follows:
- Pnar
- Khasi
- Garo
- Atong
- Ambeng or Abeng
- Matchi Dual
- Awe (or Akawe)
- Chisak Megam or Lyngngam
- Chibok
- Gara-Ganching
- Ruga
- Matabeng
Last Updated on 12 December 2012
