10 Fun facts about Cherrapunji, Meghalaya

#1.Cherrapunji is a village in Meghalaya in Northeastern India.

#2.It is located on the Shillong Plateau about 35 miles (55 km) southwest of Shillong, the state capital.

#3.Cherrapunji is noted for having one of the world’s highest average annual precipitation levels, about 450 inches (11,430 mm).

#4.Earlier the first, but now it is the second wettest place on the earth after Mawsynram, also in the same state. Nothing except this has ever been mentioned about Cherrapunji though it has much more to offer.

#5.Better known as the ‘Jewel Crest of Meghalaya’, Cherrapunji nestles in the East Khasi Hills at a distance of about 56 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. Cherrapunji has many waterfalls, living bridges, limestone caves and sightseeing to enjoy.

#6.Originally known as Sohra, Cherrapunjee was pronounced as ‘Churra’ by British that later on changed to Cherrapunji meaning ‘land of oranges’. The place is quite unknown from the travel point of view. But Cherrapunji is a great place to visit. Beautiful waterfalls like are Dain Thlen Falls (5 km away), Nohsngithiang Falls and Nohkalikai Falls are easily accessible from Cherrapunji.

#7.Stunning caves that are worth visiting are also located close to the town. Mawsmai Cave is one of the most famous caves that is lit up with halogen lamps and is 820 ft long. It is located at a distance of about six kilometres from the town. Most of these striking caves are still unexplored.

#8.Living bridges are particularly famous in Cherrapunji that are not built but grown by the local people. Secondary roots of Ficus elastica tree that grows above the ground surface are used for making living bridges. Though the process of developing living bridges takes about 10-15 years but these last for more than hundreds of years. One of the oldest living bridges in Cheerapunji is 500 years old and still in use. Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge is one of a kind in the entire world. It consists of two bridges one above another.

#9.Cheerapunji is suffering a lot because of the large-scale destruction of forests. Each year after the monsoon, the place dries up. Even finding drinking water becomes hard for the people. The town must be protected to save nature and the beauty of Cheerapunji, which is a great place to unwind and enjoy.

#10.The Cera coal mine is nearby. Cherrapunji was the capital of the independent Khasi states until it was succeeded by Shillong in 1864. It is still inhabited mainly by the Khasi peoples, who are largely Christian and who have a matriarchal social system.

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