Mawlynnong Village, Shillong

The next place to visit was an interesting place a village that is supposed to be the cleanest village in India. Situated 90 kms from Shillong. High on a hill, and surrounded by natural forests is a beautiful sight with root bridge and a boulder balancing on another rock is worth seeing.

The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture. They mostly grow betel nut. About 82 households live in Mawlynnong. Keeping the surrounding environment clean is an age old tradition. Discover India magazine declared the village as the cleanest in Asia in 2003.

A dustbin made out of bamboo is found all along the village. Everyone makes it a point that dirt and waste are not thrown everywhere. All the waste from the dustbin is collected and kept in a pit, which the villagers use as manure. The villagers are now on a mission to ban plastic. The village with cent per cent literacy is conscious and they are spreading the message of conservation and protection of the forest. Locals plant trees to ensure that the virgin forest is kept intact and also replenished.

  

Mawlynnong’s fame is now drawing an endless stream of guests from across the country and abroad. Although residential facilities are still scarce and are in the process of being developed, the existing one constructed from bamboo and thatch is quite hospitable and restful. Mawlynnong is an artist’s delight and the sort of getaway that would titillate creative writers and poets.

We spent a lot of time, going around the village, found very cozy and comfortable houses made of bamboo and I loved the pineapples, which are very popular and extremely sweet. I have never tasted a pineapple so sweet. You get at a very cheap price and they added little salt/pepper and sell it for 10 rupees a plate with a toothpick. I helped myself and walked along this small village eating pine apples, we can see hens, cocks, dogs roaming around freely. Kids are clean; the women are busy and are maintaining their houses well. There is a small school for kids. 

We get good food, home cooked very neatly laid on the table with freshly cooked vegetables, fried fish, chicken curry, cucumber, lady finger boiled and dal, at a very reasonable price. Everything is managed by women very efficiently and they serve you with a smile.

There are also viewpoints here, and for the first time in my life I climbed quite high on bamboo staircase holding my heart J which leads to the tree top.. .. I managed to climb half the way and was too frightened to get right on the tree top.

So I sat down half way, enjoyed the scene and was in awe and wonder just looking at the green surrounding, feeling the fresh breeze and admiring the inhabitants and their way of life.

Shillong /Elephant Falls

We started after an early breakfast for the next destination as per our itinerary. The place we visited on this day was as follows:

Elephant Falls

Which is Located in the Upper Shillong and 10 kms away from the Shillong town it is  one of the majestic waterfalls in Meghalaya. The water of this three steps falls comes down in flows from different levels over the fern-covered rocks and falls into the canyon down below.

In the morning it forms a wonderful sight when the sun rays fall on the cascades of water creating the rainbow colors. The best time to visit the waterfalls is during the monsoon when it offers breath-taking scenery. 

The forests covered with ferns and thick bamboo grooves are also worth visited for the nature lovers to find the presence of various species of butterflies, birds and orchids. We were filled with awe looking at this waterfalls, took pictures, it was drizzling and the weather was cold and breezy, which help us staying active and fresh despite all the walks.

There are also plenty of shops for the tourists, one can pick up shawls, coats, mufflers, key chains and plenty of junk jewellery for women who love to adorn. We spent some time and then headed towards the next place of visit. Feeling blessed and reliving these moments has doubled my gratitude for everything in my life :)

Don Bosco Museum

The Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures at DBCIC (Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures) is Asia's largest Museum of Indigenous Cultures of its kind. In it the visitor can have an overview of the whole of North East India.

Raising into Shillong's skyline the Museum is a seven storey building with 17 well laid out Galleries of international standard containing artefacts, paintings, fibreglass figures - all a feast to the eyes and a source of knowledge. The topmost Gallery is where the visitors can relax and enjoy some of the rare dances of the North East. The displays are too good with appropriate lightings which are automatic, the moment you step in the room the lights are on and when we move out it’s off by itself. There is a television in every floor that gives you information about the display.

There is also a auditorium which gives you a overview of this Museum, very well made with a inspiring background song sung by young people. There is also a place for taking photographs in the tribal dress and I encouraged Dorothy to wear another form of tribal dress and take photos (Jantia). Right on the top there is something called the sky walk with well laid railings that is in a circular shape leading you to the top of the Museum from where one can see the whole city.

There are entry tickets for this place, they charge Rs 100/- and another Rs 50/- for the cell phone camera. The place is well maintained and is worth the visit.We clicked plenty of pictures, just posting a few of them.

After walking around this museum we were tired and just passed through the Lady Hydari Park which is dedicated to the first lady of the province, Lady Hydari, wife of the Governor o Assam. This park has a variety of plants and orchids in Japanese style. Then we also passed the Shillong Golf Course which is covered with thick groves of pine and rhododendron trees. It is the third oldest Golf Course in India. There is also a huge Golf Stadium, wherein we found the popular preacher from Chennai Tamilnadu, Paul and Stella Dhinakaran prayer meeting in progress.

By then we were already late for Dinner and so went to a popular Chinese restaurant and tried noodles for dinner which was yummy, and then came back to our rooms to rest with gratitude. 

Since it was closing time for the Restaurant, we couldn't click pictures in this place. I just made mental notes in my mind to remember this place, which is called EC – which is located in the police centre. Another meaningful and enjoyable day, and I am grateful for all these experiences!!

Cathedral of Mary Help of Christian at Shillong !!

Aparna my friend wanted to show her daughter her school where she studied i.e., Loreto Convent and while she was busy with her daughter at the school. I and Dorothy went around the cathedral.

Cathedral standing tall

Cathedral of Mary Help of Christian:  Situated in At Laitumkhrah, it is the largest Cathedral in Meghalaya attracts thousands of devotees. The colorful glasses of the skylight window along with the paintings of the Jesus spreading the messages of God are influenced by the European art and architecture.

Opposite side of the road there small chapel like images of Jesus

Grotto of Mary Blessed Mother of Jesus

It started raining suddenly and the whole atmosphere changed making us feel cold, thankfully we had the umbrella with us and also sweater and muffler to keep us warm. 

I and Dorothy posing

The Shillong  school girls who helped us taking pictures

Full view of the Cathedral from a far

It was a good break, we sat in the church in silence and there was a soft music being practised for the service. We are not allowed to take pictures in the cathedral.

St John Maria Vianney the patron of the priests.

Enjoying the showers

Picture of Jesus

so we took a few outside the church, and headed towards the next places to visit. Feeling overwhelmed by this experience :)

Shillong tour continues…. Lunch Break :)

Lunch hosted by one of my friend Dr Laloo, who is native of Shillong and I had met her in one of the conferences in Delhi. 

City Hub Dhaba

Path way to the Dining hall

Lovely images

Naughty ideas- Arushi & Dorothy

Soup, Nan, chicken friend Momos, Veg fried rice, Panneer

Lemon sweet & salty

with Dr Laloo my friend

We connected well and it was as if I knew her from ages, her simplicity, warmth and friendly disposition helped us to stay in touch. After a delicious lunch we moved on to the next place of visit.  

posing outside the Dhaba

Standing at the wishing well

Funny moments

Supposed to be a popular place for lunch called the city hub dhaba. We were happy to meet in this place which was quiet, lovely ambience and could spend time chatting away and also fill our stomach to continue our touring. More pictures in the next post....   .. feeling grateful :)