There are number of viewpoints
that are located in the region and numerous visitors can be spotted at these
places. Certainly, the place continues to be the prime attraction of Meghalaya.
Cherrapunjee seems not too popular in our country except for the fact that it is the wettest place on earth and also that it is situated to Meghalaya. Cherrapunjee is at a distance of 56 km from Shillong. But during rainy season there is heavy rainfall and the trip is difficult.
The attractions of this place is the Khasi monoliths and Mawsmai falls during the day time and Limestone caves can be visited later on. However, the region is dry during winters and there are several waterfalls that are ideal places for picnics. Some of the names of the falls that can be seen over here are Dain Thelen Falls, Noh Sngithiang Falls and Noh Kalikai Falls. These falls are located nearby and can be visited easily from the town. The place also has few caves that can be visited near the town as well, among which, the major one is the Mawsmai Cave. There are few places that one can be visited in and around the town and the chief attraction is the immaculate views and pleasing climate. Indeed, Cherrapunjee is a perfect place to relax from the bustling city life. The natural splendour of the town is still comparatively untouched, thus one can find a serene atmosphere over here. Its living bridges have also made Cherrapunjee a famous place. Over hundreds of years the inhabitants of this place have developed techniques for growing roots of trees into large bridges. The entire process of developing the bridge takes 10-15 years and the bridges characteristically lasts for hundreds of years, the oldest ones in use being over 500 years old. For many years, Cherrapunjee has been considered as the wettest land on earth. As time has passed by, it has no longer been able to hold on to its tag. Now, Wai-ale-ale Crater in Kauai Islands in Hawaii is considered the wettest one. Nevertheless, the place continues to be the jewel in the crown of Meghalaya. Cherapunjee is the old colonial name, by which this charming Meghalaya town attained its worldwide fame as the place with the highest recorded rainfall. Now very soon, this particular world renowned place would be known as simply, ‘Shora’. Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih of the North Eastern Hills University (NEHU) said, “Sohra has been the traditional seat of learning Khasi literature. The place has produced many renowned litterateurs like poet Soso Tham. He adds, “The change in the name is welcome”. Nonkynirh himself is a recognised poet and a resident of Sohra. Sohra dries up, after every monsoon, making it difficult for the locals even to find drinking water. Experts blame the large scale of deforestation for the desertion of perennial springs in the hills there.
