Name: Shillong
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Jaintia Hills, Shillong Overview

Part of the former Jaintia Kingdom, the Jaintia Hills is a land of majestic hills filled with rich natural vegetation and mineral deposits. It is situated in Meghalaya and is part of the Patkai hill range that extends across the Indo-Myanmar borders. A relatively smaller hill district as compared to the Khasi and Garo Hills, the Jaintia Hills still amazes travellers with its pristine lakes and lush greenery. Jowai, the administrative headquarters, is the most developed town in this region and is the only place connected to other towns outside the hills. The Jaintia hills comprise of two districts: the East Jaintia Hills and West Jaintia Hills.

The Jaintia Hills is home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls of India, the Krang Suri Falls. Set against the backdrop of the rugged rocks with the verdant creepers and trees, the unreal shade of blue taken on by the water inspires the artistic side of anyone who views it. The beautiful village of Nartiang is also situated in these fascinating Jaintia hills where one can find the remnants of the Summer Palace of the Jaintia King. The Nartiang Monoliths, a large collection of mighty stones set since the stone age may also be found here.

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Best Time to Visit Jaintia Hills

The weather of Jaintia Hills district remains pleasantly warm during the summers and extremely cold during the winters. During the monsoons, the Jaintia Hills receive heavy rainfall.

Since the weather is pleasant during the summer, the most ideal time to visit Jaintia Hills is during the summer season, when it is mostly warm, with little or no rainfall.

Places to Visit in Jaintia Hills

Nartiang: Located in the West Jaintia District, the village of Nartiang is significant for the Summer Palace of Jaintia King, the biggest collection of monoliths and the Durga temple adjacent to the ruins of Summer Palace.

Thadlaskein Lake: Located in the West Jaintia District, it is a man-made lake, popular among the locals as a picnic spot. The lake is considered to be holy by the people of Raid Mukhla who worship and offer sacrifices near the lake. It is located on the NH - 44, about 8 kms from Jowai.

Khim Moo Sniang: A popular place among the locals in the West Jaintia District, it is significant for the pig-shaped rock that lies here and is worshipped by the Jaintia community. It is believed that the stone has the power to protect them. The place is full of food joints and small eateries in the area where one can enjoy the local delicacies of Jaintia. There are small shops built out of wood and bamboo, where one can go around and purchase local products.

Syndai: Another popular attraction is this village in the West Jaintia Hills, famous for a number of caves and caverns in the limestone borne area which were used as the hiding spots during the war between Jaintia Hills and foreign intruders.

Borghat Temple: Located in the East Jaintia district, the Borghat village is situated close to the Bangladesh border. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu religion and has a significant history behind itself. Sacrifices were offered here in olden days. The temple was damaged during the 1987 earthquake.

Ruparsor Bathing Ghat: Located in the East Jaintia District is the prime attraction of the area, the Ruparsor bathing ghat which was made for the recreational purposes of the Royal family. The ghat is made with granite and the water it gets is from the Ruparsor stream, that flows through a Ridge resembling the curved trunk of an elephant.

Tips

1. While there are well-constructed roads to most towns, many of the tourist sites require a decent bit of physical activity.
2. There are no lodging options within the region. It is advisable to stay at Shillong and organise transport from there to explore this region, in order to facilitate a more organised trip.