Jaintia Hills - A Tete a Tete with the City :

Location : North Eastern India, Meghalaya

Founded In : February 22, 1972.Feb. 22, 1972

Best Time to Visit : September to May

Places to See : Thadlaskein Lake, Kiang Nangbah Monument, Syndal Cave

Souvenirs : Meghalayan handicrafts like sleeping mats, rain shields, baskets, and bamboo and cane articles.

Jaintia Hills - The Tale of the City :

The tale of this district begins with the origin of the Jaintia hills. In 1500, the Lord of the Hills had formed a state. In 1700, there was a battle between the Bar Barua and the Bar Phukan. In 1824, the Rajah here signed a treaty with the British after the Burmese invaded the place. After this, the British had a passage between the Khasi and Jaintia Hills and connected the Assam and the Surma Valley. In 1835, whole of Jaintia Hills was a British area. In 1841, Christianity spread in this region. In 1951, Jaintia Hills, the Doloi Land became a district along with other districts. The chief of the area was the Doloi. They represented the people of each region. Jaintia Hills was known as the “Ka Ri Khadar Doloi” or the Land of the Twelve Tribal Chiefs. Jaintia Hills is blessed with beautiful rivers, enthralling valleys, lot of rainfall, undulating sunshine, verdant green forests, majestic plateaus which give a permanent nostalgia to the tourist.

Jaintia Hills - Down the Ages :

Down the ages the district changed along with the Jaintia Hills. In 1952, the tribal chiefs came under one autonomy. Jaintia district took birth in 1972, after the State of Meghalaya was formed. Beauty is a part of this district. It is amongst the oldest type of Jaintia Hills villages. Lying near NH 44, it is a beautiful spot with a grove called the Khloo Lyngdoh Ialong. There are lots of interesting remains found here in the grove. It includes the remnants of a fort of yore. It is made of boulder of ancient times. This is the place where the Jaintia king had his soldiers protected from the enemies. This was during the 19th century. Being a part of the plateau of Meghalaya, the physical features here are very much like Khasi Hills. The soft slope in the direction of the valley of Brahmaputra and the Bangladesh plains are also a lovely view here.

Jaintia Hills - A Rendezvous :

The whole area is made of valleys which are narrow and gurgling streams, with deep precipices, and has rich flora and fauna. It has a beautiful eco system, but it has been unduly degraded due to the various activities like jhuming, deforestation, soil erosion, and an increase in population. There are efforts that are being made to stop felling trees, and there are many resources that are to be replaced. The natural glory and the beauty of the region, is a perfect rendezvous.

Jaintia Hills - Travel Kitty :

Lying in Eastern Meghalaya, the Jaintia Hills offers the best scenic beauty and with their lovely green ambience, and Nature at its best, the sunshine, and plateaus and the beautiful waterfalls, it offers enthralling views to the tourist. The picturesque surroundings, with the majestic topography has the best aesthetic value to the tourist’s eye.

Jaintia Hills - Joie de Vivre in the City :

The joie de vivre of Jaintia Hills, the land of myths and legends, is the picturesque beauty of the surroundings. The highest peaks are found here and is home to abundant rainfall. The turbulence of the streams and the natural resources here are also an added beauty along with the flora and fauna. One can find the following here:

Lakes :

Thadlakein Lake :

Shillong is around 56km from this lake. Legend has it that the lake was dug by around 300 clans. These clans came from U Sajjar Niangli. He was the general of the kings of Jaintias. They settled in the districts of West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi.

Monument :

Kiang Nangbah Monument :

This is situated on the banks of the River Syntu Ksiar. This lies along with the River Myntdu. The Madiah Kmai Blai is a vast expanse lying next to it. The Kian Nangbah Monument lies in the central portion of the field. This was built in commemoration of the great patriot U Kiang Nangbah by the people of Jaintia Hills. This is the way the people have revered the martyr who still is immortal.

Menhir :

Nartiang lies around 65km away from the city of Shillong. This was the Jaintia Kings’ capital during summer. This belonged to the Sutnga State. There are gigantic monoliths that are major landmarks in the village. Mar Phalyngki, who was a Goliath of Jaintias, erected this. It is around 27 feet high and 6 feet broad, and around 2 feet 6 inches thick. The Hynniewtrep culture is represented in the monoliths. There is a temple here which is around 500 years old. The presiding deity is Goddess Durga. It is a prime spot of Nartiang.

Bridges :

Thlumuwi Stone Bridge :

It is found on the Dawki to Jowai Road. There is a place called Thlumuwi where a bridge made out of stone was constructed. There were gigantic stone slabs that are embridged on pillars made of stone. The Thlumuwi River on its banks has the lovely Thlu Muwi waterfall which is in front of the stone bridge. This scene enthralls the visitor and he is taken in by the sheer beauty of the place.

Village :

Syndai :

This is a very famous and popular village in the Dawki Jowai Road. It has innumerable caves and lots of intriguing caverns. There are discoveries of around 11 caves near the village of Syndai. The caves are together called the Syndai caves and they were earlier frequented by people who used them as hiding places whenever the Kings of Jaintia Hills and foreigners fought between each other. Some of the caves are the Amkari Cave, the Kriah Cave, the Amlashriah Cave, The Amkhloo Cave, the Rupasor Vare, the Chair Cave and the Kynda cave as also the Lyngngohmah Cave. The tourists have for many years been attracted to these caves and the added presence of a temple made of bricks, a bridge made out of stone but now in ruins attracts the tourists. This is the place where there is an elephant made out of stone. The trunk of this elephant symbolically feeds water and has beautiful carvings of Lord Ganesha.

Pools :

Syntu Ksiar :

This is an expanse of serene water body. Here the Myntdu River looks like it has come to a stop. It goes around the town of Owai and comes to be known as the Syntu Ksiar. Syntu Ksiar means the golden flower. The place is exquisite and offers the best to the tourists.

Jaintia Hills - Entertainment Factor :

With a lot of past historical legends and histories and an amazing collection of statues, monuments and structures, Jaintia Hills, the land of menhirs, is a place to reckon with. The entertainment factor here is the festivals observed by people. The Festival of Behdeinkhlam is an important festival celebrated here. It is observed in July and it is in celebration of the crops that are harvested. The people pray in this festival that they have a good harvest. The festival lasts for four days and has many processions, ceremonies and a very old game of ball which is called “Akim”. This is very much like soccer but is played with a ball made of wood.

Thus the Jaintia Hills with all their historical past are a place to reckon with and a sure tourist spot for interested tourists.

As one leaves the place one thinks “Surely legends could also be real.”