Megh means clouds and alay, of course, translates to abode. Could there be a name more apt and literal than Meghalaya for a region that the clouds use as somewhat of a permanent address all throughout the year? Although a fair representation of its best feature, you don’t always have to look to the skies to find beauty in this pine-fresh mountain state. Its rugged outdoors are home to wonders natural and designed – both equally easy to be awed by. From natural wonders like a network of deep caves, the sacred forests, and the wettest places on earth to some man-made designs like the transparent waters of Dawki, the living roots bridges all across the state, to some of the most progressive societies you ever witnessed, Meghalaya gives you enough reasons to fall in love with it. Meghalaya, the abode of clouds, also has the finest collection of waterfalls. The mist from the falling water with the clouds almost in your hand’s reach and the green of the lush forests makes for a rare kind of beauty.
(Read, Tips to Travel to Northeast India)
While the tropical rainforests of the region are teeming with exotic wildlife, countless species of birds and an infinite kind of flora, the small villages tucked deep into these thick forests have found a perfect formula for sustained living. The tribes of Meghalaya are truly a symbol of a synchronous relationship with the land and may as well be called pioneers for harnessing natural energy and resources. They build rainwater harvesting into their architectural design, create organic manure by collecting waste into pits and basically let no natural resource go to waste. Some communities within the state are also matrilineal. The children take the mother’s last name and wealth gets passed on from the mother to the youngest of her daughters.
