Places to visit in Dawki

The Umngot River, also known as the Dawki River and Wah Umngot, flows through Dawki. The river marks the separation of the river Ri Pnar from Jaintia Hills and Hima Khyrim from Khasi Hills. It is arguably the cleanest river and is very popular among fisherman. It is close to the border of India and Bangladesh. In 1932, the British build a suspension bridge over the river that gives way to Bangladesh. The bridge can bear only one vehicle at a time. At a distance of about 1 kilometre from the Dawki market. The Umngot River is the perfect spot for boating as well. Boating in Umngot River makes one feel like they are floating on emerald glass. In the month of March or April, the annual boat race on Umngot River is hosted which attracts a lot of tourists. While boating one can clearly see the marine life below. The river flows snakes through the hills with lush green forests. The Ummgot River is a mesmerizing view to a tourist. It is also a prime spot for fishing both for Bangladeshi and Indian fishermen.

Jaflong Zero-point is the place of no-mans-land of the border of India and Bangladesh. The Jaflong Zero Point is a beautiful spot where tourists can enjoy a breath-taking view of the surrounding hills and valleys. It is also an ideal spot for camping and hiking because it provides some refreshingly cool air during hot summer days. The name Jaflong comes from the word “jhia” (meaning “moss”) and “long” (meaning “hill”), which together means mossy hills. When water is low, one can walk around easily and explore the hills. But in the monsoon months when the water rises pretty high, one needs to take the boat ride service available on the Bolla Ghat to take a look around the hills. Kutta Ghati is the most famous place to visit near Bolla Ghat. There are many temples, trees and natural landscapes here. The best time to visit this place is in the winter months when the temperature is not that high, and one can escape from the humid climate for a day.

Only 74 kilometres away from Shillong, the village of Shnongpdeng is an ideal adventure place. From boat riding to ziplining to camping, this place offers a mind-boggling experience to its visitors. This village is one of the many villages that gets benefitted and thrilled by the Umngot River. The village serves as a border between the countries of Bangladesh and India. One can enjoy floating on the crystal-clear waters of the Umngot river and listen its water gush into Bangladesh. On fun fact about Shnongpdeng is that it is not “in” Dawki, but it is a few kilometres away from the village of Dawki. The best time to visit Shnongpdeng is at noon time or when the sun is high up. At this time, it serves the best view. The stunning view of the crystal-clear water of the Umngot River can be viewed when sunlight hits directly the water. It is also a great spot for camping. A package of a day or two is available along with food and drop services. Camping by the river of this extraordinary river is once in a lifetime experience.

As far as Indian villages are concerned, Mawlynnong is way ahead of its time, with its clean, functional toilets in every house, and plastic ban. Mawlynnong is a village that has made its mark on history by being the cleanest village in India. It is located in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya and was recognized as the cleanest village in Asia by The Guinness Book of World Records. And yet, the rustic and old-world charm that it manages to preserve, makes you feel like you have travelled in time. Mawlynnong is a small village with just about 1,500 people. However, it attracts more than 100,000 visitors every year because of its cleanliness and eco-friendly practices. The fruit orchards, the roaring streams, the lush evergreen surroundings, the swaying pines, and the well-preserved traditions of the Khasi culture provide a picture-perfect place on the edge of Meghalaya’s southern ranges. The most attractive place in this tiny village is the double decker living root bridge. After enjoying the bridge to its fullest, one can go for a dip into the gushing river below.

At a distance of 9 kilometres from Dawki, this tunning waterfall is quite underrated. It is a scenic waterfall situated in Dawki. It is located on the Dawki-Riwai road. It is in the Pynursla district. Gushing into the Sylhet borders of Bangladesh, this fall is worth taking a look at with milky white water running down the slope and the soothing gushing sound. It is an ideal spot for nature lovers. It is also known as the Bophill falls and as Pangtumai in Bangladesh.

Krang Suri Falls is truly a view to behold. It is view straight out of Kipling’s pages, with turquoise water, large rocks and lush green forest. Meghalaya is known for waterfalls. And Cherrapunji being the place to receive the highest rainfall, is meant to have many waterfalls that will stop you on your way and make you gawk in awe. Krang Suri waterfalls is one of the. Just 30 kilometres away from Jowai, the tranquil ambience of this place will make it hard for you to leave the place. The falls cuts one off the tourist circuit since it is a bit off the route. Nested in the serenity of the Jaintia hills, this is a place to go if you enjoy the calm scenic beauty of nature. It is blessed with lush green forest hugging it and crystal blue waters gushing into the pool below. The way to Krang Suri is interesting One begins with wide open meadows and then slowly descent to shrubs and vegetation and then into the thin forest. On a calm sunny afternoon, one can enjoy a dip in the pool as well.

Hiding in the hills of East Khasi and at a distance of just 23 kilometres from Mawlynnong, Byrdaw Falls is a mesmerizing waterfall located at Pomshutia village. Located on the way from Shillong to Dawki, it is one of the most stunning waterfalls in East Khasi Hills and among the popular places for tourists to visit in Mawlynnong. Byrdaw Falls is a two-stepped waterfall cascading down from a height of about 150 metres into a pool below surrounded by greenery. The falls is breath-taking especially during the monsoon season when it revels its true beauty. One can also go behind the waterfall and experience the mighty flow of the falls. One need to take a trek of about 2 kilometres from Pomshutia village that takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the Byrdaw Falls. Proper road and footpath are built especially for tourists in order to reach the waterfalls. There is also a cave situated just behind the falls from where one can take in the rare view of watching a waterfalls flow from behind. Since the Byrdaw falls is located in a remote location, it is better to take a guide or someone who knows the place well enough.

Nested in the slopes of the East Khasi hills, the Riwai village is next in popularity after Mawlynnong village. It is just 81 kilometres from Shillong and near to Dawki. It is also known for its cleanliness. The Riwai village is perfect for anyone who wants to spend his or her vacation days in a calm and serene ambiance with lush green forest hugging the village and a waterfall or two here and there. This is a perfect place for nature lovers. Riwai has a population of only four hundred and thirty-eight people. Some of the villagers sometimes even offer home-cooked meals to the visitors. The village is also known for the scenic beauty of the cliffs hovering over it as well as the welcoming behaviour of the locals. The local language is Khasi but the make a pretty good effort of understanding other languages like Bengali or Hindi.

Meghalaya has always been a paradise for tourists, trekkers or people seeking picturesque adventures. The Laitlum Canyon is situated at the top of the East Khasi hills, at 1496 meters above sea level. It is located at a distance of 45 minutes’ drive from the capital city of Shillong. This spot is very less crowded and very fewer commercial tasks are carried out here, hence retaining its natural beauty much better compared to other spots. In general, the place is always open but the best time to visit this spot is during the morning because it gets enveloped in fog by afternoon. With its vibrant scenic beauty covering the region, the importance of carrying a camera becomes utmost priority. Tourists can capture stunning panoramas as well as the stunning view of Shillong in its full glory. The slopes of green, the bamboo plants and the mist, all play their individual roles to leave the viewers spellbound.

If any other place in India is capable of beating Cherrapunji to its title of being the wettest place on earth, it is the Mawsynram village. About 15km from Cherrapunji, Mawsynram is a beautiful village nestled in the slopes of East Khasi Hills. It is an East Khasi district. If someone is a nature lover, Mawsynram in the monsoon season is the perfect place to take in the beauty of nature. It receives about 11,000 mm of rainfall every year. In the year 1985, Mawsynram received 26,000 mm of rainfall. Due to its altitude, the place seldom experiences truly hot summers. However, the winters are dry and cold. It especially gets chilly in month of December, January and February. There is a cave named Mawjymbuin in Mawsynram, which is known for its stunning structures of Stalagmites. The Khasi locals use grass to cover their house roofs to soften the sound of rain. The sound is deafening. But the view of nature when the rain stops is something to gawk at.

Famous for its sacred groves and beautiful Pynthorwah Valley, the Lalong park is filled with exciting tourist destinations and many adventure spots. A water eco-park is also taking shape with an intention to change Lalong into a major Tourism Hub of the District. It is only 8 kilometres from the town of Jowai. This place is perfect to visit with families especially the young ones. It is a perfect place to enjoy a day out with families and friends. It is in the Jaintia hills. The Lalong village reflects the beautiful culture and the simple lives the local people lead. The park is decorated with dams and canals. And the green valley view below makes the scene more mesmerizing. A few cottages in the Lalong village also provides excellent homestay services. With homecooked meals to comfy beds to sleep in mingled with the village experience, it is truly once in a life-time experience. This is place you will not like to leave behind, for rest assured it will give you the best memories to take back home.

The Balpakram National Park is located at the southern region of Garo hills, Meghalaya. It is at a height of 910 meters above sea level and covers an area of 200 sq. km. The place is home to a varied species of animals like Barking deer, Asian Golden Cat, Red Panda, etc. This place is famous for its forest covered canyon, the balpakram plateau and its adjacent forests. With its exotic species of flora and fauna, some being endemic to the region, the place naturally creates interest among naturalists, botanists, zoologists and researchers. The place being one of the richest spots in biodiversity in India, attracts a lot of tourist attention as well. The place also has a lot of folklore and legends surrounding it. The local Garo tribe believes that the spirits of the departed souls pass through this place before finally ascending to their final adobe.

If you think you have seen all the wonderful yet mysterious things of the world, then you surely have not visited the Nartiang Monoliths. The Nartiang Monoliths is considered to be the tallest monoliths in the world. Even the number of monoliths in this particular group of monoliths is the highest in the world. Meghalaya is scattered in monoliths, some here and some there. But these are the most famous ones especially because of its height. In the hills of West Jaintia, these monoliths are near the village of Jowai. The village was considered the market place for the city of Jaintiapur, a city which belongs in Bangladesh now. There are two types of monoliths present in Nartiang: the ‘Moo Shyndrang’ also known as the standing stones, which are considered to be the male stones and the other type is ‘Moo Kynthai’, also known as the sleeping stones, which are considered to be the female stones. The view at Nartiang is so immeasurable that one would like to see it twice to make their eyes believe.

A historic lake indeed. Thadlaskein lake, also known as Pung Sajar Nangli is a man-made lake just beside the village of Mukhla. It is located in Jowai, nested in the hills of West Jaintia. The lake is said to be of the medieval period. It was dug by a medieval leader named, Sajar Nangli, and his followers after they were tired of the long journey they had. Eventually, it turned out to be this beautiful lake. Today it is considered sacred to the people of Mukhla village and is worshipped by the Niamtre community. They even make sacrifices to the lake as a part of their worship. This sacrifice is made once in every hundred years and is conducted by the indegenous priest of the Niamtre community called Lyngdoh. The lake is a very good spot for picnic to the tourists. It is on the national highway 6 in Jowai and is very easily accessible from Shillong as well. The scenery around the lake is a view to behold. The flora and fauna of this place will leave anyone absolutely mesmerized.

The West Jaintia Hills is one of the eleven districts of Meghalaya. It is the home of many tribes especially the ‘Jaintias’, who are also known as the ‘Pnars’. Just like the Khasis, Jaintias are also believed to have the Mongolian origins. They lead a matri-lineal society where the women are considered to be above men or rather it is a society which is led by women instead of men. But the head of the family is always the father. It is a very rare and unique practice. The youngest of the daughters gets most of the inheritance of the family and is responsible to take care of the rest of the family. There is no one particular language that is spoken uniformly throughout the West Jaintia Hills. Since there are other tribes like the Bhois, the Wars and the Biates other than the Jaintias, wide varieties of languages are spoken. Pnar language is very different from the Khasi language in every sense possible. Besides English, Hindi, Nepali, Bengali and Assamese are spoken by outsiders to communicate.

Only 12 kilometres from Cherrapunji, Kynrem Falls is surrounded by the lush greenery of Thangkharang Park. It is India’s seventh-highest waterfall and is shadowed by the East Khasi Hills district. Kynrem Falls is also known as Sohrab Hanging Waterfall due to its location on the edge of an escarpment. Plunging from a height of 305 meters, the thunderous roaring of the waterfall can be heard before the beauty unveils itself before the eyes. The water cascades down the rock face and into a deep pool of turquoise water, where tourists can swim. The surrounding vegetation is lush with greenery, making it an ideal place for picnics or spending a lazy afternoon reading a book. The waterfall is easily accessible from Cherrapunji and can be reached by a scenic drive through the East Khasi Hills district. The park offers several picnic spots and a walkway that leads to the falls. Though Mawsynram is famous for receiving the highest rainfall, it does not fall short in amusing tourists with its natural beauty. Krem Puri Cave, the longest sandstone cave in the world is one of the many attractions of Mawsynram.

One of the most charming tourist destinations in Cherrapunji is Thangkharang Park, which sits near the famous rock Khoh Ramhah and offers a breath-taking view of twisting roads below. At a height of 840 metres above the sea level, the park is a great place to visit and spend time with your loved ones. It has several attractions, including the children’s play area and the food court. The park is the perfect place to relax, unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature. There is a large garden with beautiful flowers and plants which provide a great view of the mountains around Cherrapunji. Apart from the stunning view of the Khoh Ramhah rock and the view of the valley, there is also a greenhouse to explore around where only four people are allowed at a time. The park is open throughout the year and is a great place to relax with your family, especially during monsoon season when it rains heavily. But the timings differ with season. IN the summer and monsoon months, the park is open from seven in the morning till 5 in the evening. While in during the wintertime, the park remains open till four in the evening only.

Tyrshi Falls, also known as Tyrchi Falls, is one of the little-known treasures of Meghalaya. It is situated in Jowai. The water from the beautiful falls come gushing down like an enormous white veil along the hill in steps. The falls are connected by an arched bridge that goes down till the bottom end of the falls. The bridge consists of more than 20 hundred steps. On the way, it gives you a beautiful panoramic and of course a stunning view of the Pynthor Nein paddy fields. Like the Elephant Falls in Shillong, one can enjoy the bursts of water by going close to the falls and the roaring sound of the fall can be heard even before it has unfolded itself before the eyes. However, it would be unfair to not to mention that the Tyrshi Falls stand almost three times taller than the Elephant Falls. Best time to visit the falls would be the monsoons when the falls are in their optimum verve and the full beauty of the falls is unveiled.

Garden of caves is a latest addition to the list of tourist attractions in Meghalaya. It was inaugurated officially in 2010. It is beautiful with a variety of caves connected with each other throughout the forest. These caves were originally built by the Khasi tribe to escape and hide from the soldiers during the British invasion. These caves provided safe shelter for a long period of time, especially during the monsoon and the forest that hugs the caves provided food they needed. Due to constant rainfall in the state, various forms of rocks like heart-shaped, baby rocks and other types of rock formations can be seen. Some cave in the garden has different sizes of holes in the roof which looks mesmerizing during the rainy season and even more beautiful when the sunlight comes through. The waterfalls located just beside the caves appear like an umbrella above the cave. The Garden of Caves is considered as a paradise on earth due to its beauty and how the forest has been protecting the area year after year.

The David Scott Trail is named after a British officer and it’s one of the most popular trekking routes in Meghalaya. The trek from Mawphlang to Lad-Mawphlang is 16 kilometres long, crossing mountains and valleys as it travels through areas rich in culture. The trek starts from the village of Mawphlang, which is located about 12 kilometres from Shillong. The route passes through dense forests and tea gardens for much of its length, with views over Guwahati in Assam on clear days. It then descends into the valley below before climbing up to Lad-Mawphlang, where there are more tea plantations and houses scattered around. The trek is very exciting for those who are fit, but is not recommended for those who do not practice physical fitness on a daily basis. A stunning view of nature can be experienced throughout the trail. At every bend of the road, one can expect a mesmerizing view just waiting for them. Starting the trek at sunrise gives you an even more beautiful experience.

Darang is a place where one can experience the culture and traditions of the locals. You can walk around and see how people live here and experience the different cuisines. Darang offers visitors a comprehensive experience of stunning natural beauty, ancient history, and unique cultural traditions. The place is mentioned in the Mahabharata, indicating that it was already important more than 2,000 years ago. There are many relics of the past displayed all over this place. The place is a must-visit for those who want to learn about the history of India and enjoy its beautiful surroundings. It is also a great place for adventure lovers as there are many activities like trekking, and rafting available here. A visit to the place is an experience of a lifetime and will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Darang is one of those places where you can see nature at its best. The place has many beautiful temples that are worth visiting. It is also known for its rich cultural heritage, which makes it even more appealing to tourists.

One of the newly discovered caves in Meghalaya, Arwah Cave is the most unexplored place to visit in the entire Cherrapunji. The cave is located in a remote village called Myrnam, which is also known as the “village of caves.” The cave is located at a distance of about 5 kilometres from the village, which makes it one of the most unexplored places to visit in Meghalaya. It offers an exciting adventure for people who love exploring caves. The forest of Law Shynna is home to a cave that attracts explorers and archaeologists from all over the world because many secrets are yet to be discovered there. The cave has not been explored properly yet and is still unknown to many people.  But it is filled with stunning limestone formation and fossils. Interestingly, the bends and carves of the stones and walls are naturally so that a person can slip right through them. A section of the Arwah cave has a treasure of Stalagmites and Stalactites formation.

The Mawsmai Cave is the most easily accessible cave in Cherrapunji. It is the gateway to underground adventure in Meghalaya. It is 6km away from the village of Mawsmai. One can get a full tour of the ground, or rather underground even without a wide. However, the tunnel either gets too narrow or too wide, so large groups are advised to avoid it. It is hidden under a large canopy of trees, the cave welcomes tourists with a gaping entrance which then narrows further down. The well-lit cave is view to behold when the glistening light meets the limestone and creates every shade and hue that can be imagined. One can also find some fossils which can be found by spending some time gawking and peering at the walls. There are some spots inside the cave where crawling and bending is required. It provides a stunning glimpse of the world of caves that resides under our feet. It is a must-visit for the ones who consider themselves explorers.

Sitting in the village of Mawsmai in the East Khai hills is the Seven Sisters Falls. It is the fourth largest fall in India. It is a cluster of seven waterfalls alongside each other with a height of 315 meters and a width of 70 meters, making it one of the many tallest waterfalls in India. The seven falls are said to represent the seven states of North East India. The Seven Sisters Falls is locally known as the Nohsngithiang Falls or Mawsmai Falls. The water pours down the limestone cliffs of the Khasi hills into a valley. This place has a picture-perfect ambiance and is perfect for photographers. It forms a curtain of water along the cliff which turns into a majestic view during the sunsets. The best view is observed during the months of June till September which is the monsoon season in Cherrapunji. During the monsoon months, almost the whole stretch of cliff is covered with the waterfall, revealing its true beauty.

Cherrapunji is the hub of tourist spots. From mesmerizing waterfalls to bridges, Cherrapunji never ceases to astonish. The first place one must visit is Nohkalikai Falls. It is the most beautiful waterfall in Cherrapunji. Pouring from a dizzying height of 1,120 feet, it is the country’s third-highest waterfall. A series of stairs lead to different vantage points to enjoy the view. The roaring sound of the water can be heard even from far-off.  The  Nohkalikai Falls is located in the East Khasi Hills. It is in its full bloom during the monsoon season and is at its driest from December to February.  Nohkalikai is named after a women named Li Kai who threw herself from the falls after learning that her own daughter was murdered by her second husband. The falls is named to remind the tragic event that happened. The gruesome story aside, the falls is an ideal spot for adventure lovers as well as the nature lovers. A minimal entry fee is charged at the entrance.

Wei Sawdong Falls is something straight out of an Internet picture. One will never believe the true beauty of this falls until he has seen it with his own eyes. The falls is not very tall or enormous like Nohkalikai. But the simplicity is what is amazing about this waterfall. The name Wei Sawdong is derived from the Khasi language, in which ‘Wei’ means something resembling a pool and ‘Sawdong’  means square-shaped. It has crystal-clear water. But the trek is a bit stressing and the waterfall is a little difficult to access. Every waterfall in Meghalaya has its own charm and beauty. Wei Sawdong is one of them. It is a tree stepped water falls, with crystal bluish green water gushing from a height to a pool below. On a calm afternoon after the trek, one may take a swim in it. From the top it takes around 20 minutes to reach the bottom, thought the height is not much but the path to go down to the pool is not really a proper path so to speak.

From fluffy clouds painting the blue sky to cascading waterfalls, Cherrapunji has it all. Just 55 kilometres from Shillong and at a height of 1300 meters, the city of Sohra, better known as Cherrapunji is located. Cherrapunji is a must-visit for any traveller visiting Meghalaya. It is the hub of Khasi. Cherrapunji is a city that is like a vivid painting that leaves tourists and travellers mesmerized. It is located at the heart of Meghalaya and has an untouched, unblemished, and unperturbed beauty to it.  Though Cherrapunji is known for tall plunging waterfalls and lush green hills, it has a rich history too. The original name of the town was Sohra, which was pronounced “Cherra” by the British. The name eventually became ‘Cherrapunji’ which means ‘the land of the oranges’. Cherrapunji was the capital of the Khasi states until Shillong become the capital in 1864. There are shreds of evidence all over the town of Cherrapunji that it was under British authority. One can see the monument of David Scott who was the administrator of North East India from 1802 to 1831.