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Meghalaya was inaugurated as an autonomous state on April 2,1970. It was declared as a state of the Indian Union on January 21, 1972. Meghalaya is situated in the north-eastern region of India, between the Brahmaputra valley in the north and the Bangladesh in the south. The state of Meghalaya (the abode of clouds) is geographically known as the "Meghalaya Plateau" or the "Shillong Plateau". The area is made of the oldest rock-formations. Meghalaya consists of the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills along with their outliers formed by the Assam ranges. It is the detached north-eastern extension of the Peninsular India. Part of it lies buried under the alluvium deposited by the Ganga-Brahmaputra system of rivers. This gap is known as Malda gap (between Raj Mahal hills/Chhota Nagpur and the Shillong Plateau). Meghalaya Plateau's elevation varies between 150 meters to 1961 meters above sea level. The Plateau is highly dissected and has irregular terrain in the western and northern side. The southern side is marked by a continuous escarpment with steep slopes. The broken hills and ranges in the north are not of a well defined boundary. The western part of the plateau or the Garo hills has an elevation of 600m above sea level. The most important relief feature of this part of the plateau is the Tura range with its highest point at Nokrek 1515 meters above sea level. The central and the eastern part of the plateau or the Khasi and the Jaintia hills district play prominent senile topography. This part of the plateau is characterised by the presence of many peneplained surfaces, flat-topped hills and numerous river valleys. The central upland zone is the most important relief feature of the area and covers more than one-third of the area, east of the Garo hills. The highest point of this part of this plateau and that of the entire state is the Shillong peak whose elevation is about 1965m above sea level. In the Garo hills, the important rivers of the northern system from west to east are the Kalu, Ringgi, Chagua, Ajagar, Didram, Krishnai and Dudnai. Of these only the Krishnai and Kalu are navigable. The important rivers of the southern system are Daring, Sanda, Bandra, Bhogai, Dareng and Simsang. Simsang is the largest river in the Garo hills and navigable only for about 30 Km . Other navigable rivers are Nitai and the Bhupai. In the central and eastern section of the plateau the important northward flowing rivers are Umkhri, Digaru and Umiam and the south-flowing rivers are Kynchiang (Jadukata), Mawpa, Umiew or Barapani, Myngot and Myntdu. TOURISMThe 'abode of the clouds' is the appropriate meaning of the 'Meghalaya'. It is a compact and isolated state, lying on the northern border of Assam. SHILLONGShillong the capital, is a popular hill station, has a famous 18 hole golf course and a polo ground. Lakes and water falls areother attractions of this town. Ward's lake, east of Police Bazar is an attractive place with facilities for boating. Umiam lake, 16 kilometers from Shillong is popular for fishing and boating. There are several falls around Shillong. The nearest are the Beadon falls and Bishop's falls. Elephant falls, 12 kilometres away on the Shillong -Cherrapunji road, is a scenic spot with two high falls surrounded by fern covered rocks. Observation sheds are provided to get a good view. Best time to visit - June to October (rainy Season) Other falls are the Spread Eagle falls beyond the old polo ground and Sweet falls beyond happy valley. The Shillong peak which is highest in the state is good for trekking. It is known as the 'abode of the gods' and has excellent views. The Kyllang rock, beyond Mairang off the Shillong - Nongstoin Road is a massive block of granite that rises to some 220 metres. The top offers a grand view of the valleys to the north especially during winter months. Near Mawsmai, there is a complete view of the high falls, Noh-sngi-thiang across a wide gorge. THE BUTTERFLY MUSEUM It is at Wankhar and Co, Raiatsamthiah. Visit : 1000 -1600. It has a good display of mounted butterflies and beetles from India and abroad. The butterflies are breeded here as a conservatory measure. THE CENTRAL MUSEUM It is at Lachumiere, Visit : 100 - 1600, Monday to Saturday except 2nd Saturday and all Government holidays. Entry - free. It has ethnographic and archaeological objects. The tribal Research Institute, Mawali has indigenous specimens and articles of the tribal people. It opens from 1000 to 1600, Monday to Saturday. Entry - free. CHERRAPUNJIIt is 56 km away from Shillong. The orange groves are the main attraction at Cherrapunji. It is the second wettest place on earth with a rainfall record of 2,300 cm. Recently, Mawsynram, 55 kilometers from Shillong has taken away that title. This town is famous for it's limestone caves and Orange honey. Nohkalikai Falls, reputedly the world's fourth highest is 5 km away from Cherrapunji near Serrarim. GARO HILLSIn Garo hills there are a few lakes on the road between Phulbari and Tura. There is an archeological site. On the way to Jowai there is a beautiful lake called Thadlaskein, traditionally believed to have been made by the army of Usajor Nangli with the points of their bows. A tourist lodge has been built on its bank . Near Rongreng - Girl in Garo hills, there is a place commemorated as the scene of the Garo's last stand against the British. The lime stone belt along the southern slopes contains many caves. Batcaves known by that name because of great flocks of bats that make their home can be seen near Sijer in the Simsang valley of Garo hills. TURATura, the headquarters of the W.Garo hills district is situated at the foot of the Nokrek Peak, the second highest peak in the state. Tura peak about 2,500 feet above the Tura town is famous for its scenic beauty. Visitors to the Khasi and Jaintia hills can see the wide distribution of Megaliths in the central uplands. Their age has not been ascertained. Most of them are very ancient. The tallest and most massive can be see at Natriang, the former summer capital of the Jaintia rajahs. Nartiang is about 65 Kilometers east of Shillong. The tallest Megalith here is 8 meters high and 2meters wide. Others may be found near Mawnluh, Syndai and Mawsynram.
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