Places of Interest in Jaintia Hills
JAINTIA HILLS ~ Blessed by Nature with abundant rainfall, smiling sunshine, green forests, high plateaus, bewitching valleys, crystal rivers, tumbling waterfalls and dreamy streamlets, here are some of the most beautiful sights, each one an unforgettable aesthetic-feast to every visitor
Iawmusiang Rupasor-Bathing-Ghat Shrine-of-Our-Lady-of-Good-Health
Thadlaskein Lake
Located fifty-six kms from Shillong and eight Kms from Jowai off NH-44, this captivatingly placid lake is a popular picnic resort. According to tradition, the lake was dug by the followers of the Jaintia Chieftain U Sajar Nangli. The Chieftain had an irreconcilable difference of opinion with the king of Jaintiapur, the Erstwhile Jaintia Kingdom which now constitutes the Jaintia District of Bangladesh. U Sajar Nangli knew that his differences with the king of Jaintia king would inevitably lead to intensive combat causing a bloodbath of their own people and he was loath to be responsible for such a tragedy. He decided to flee from the kingdom with his followers, but before they parted from their beloved motherland, they dug a beautiful lake at Thadlaskein which is fed by perennial underground springs, as an eternal memorial. The lake is revered by the people of Raid Mukhla who continue to offer sacrifice near the lake. Top
Kiang Nangbah Monument
Located on the banks of Syntu Ksiar, alongside the river Myntdu, there is a vast field known as Madiah Kmai Blai. At the centre of this field stands the elegant Kiang Nangbah Monument, a hollow tower-like structure of typical Jaintia design, erected by the Jaintia people in honor of U Kiang Nangbah, the Jaintia patriot who died a martyr to the cause of Jaintia freedom, at the hands of the British rulers.
The field known as Madiah Kmai Blai is itself of historical importance, as it was on this field that a meeting of Jaintia leaders took place during 1861. At the meeting U Kiang Nangbah took oath to lead his people, come what may, in their fight to drive the British out of their land. He was, however, asked whether he could do something to show that they had correctly chosen him as their leader. Kiang Nangbah, looked around, said not a word, but plunged suddenly on that cold wintry night into the depths of Syntu ksiar and emerged moments later with an uprooted little plant from the stem of which three branches spread out. The Oracles agreed that it was a sign signifying the justice of their cause and the correctness of their choice of U Kiang Nangbah as leader. The meeting gave U Kiang Nangbah mandate to wage war against the British who had, by then, attempted to strangulate the local economy and interfere with the religious and cultural life of the Jaintias. Under his leadership, the Jaintias fought a bitter war of attrition for almost two years against the much superior British military might. Ultimately the British managed to seize Kiang Nangbah by deceit, on 27th December, 1862. After a summary trial, they publicly hanged him at Iawmusiang, Jowai on the 30th December, 1862. From the scaffold he spoke to his countrymen, loud and clear-
" If my face turns eastwards when I die on the rope,we shall be free again within a hundred years
If it turns westwards, we shall be enslaved forever."
The last words of U Kiang Nangbah, the immortal Jaintia Martyr proved prophetic. Indeed the dying patriot's face turned eastwards and India became free within hundred years.
The monument at Madiah Kmai Blai is a grateful people's tribute to their immortal martyr. Top
The Kupli river which flows for quite some distance as the Assam-Meghalaya interstate border has a unique river bed of limestone and soft rock for considerable length of its course. The turbulent Kupli has thus carved for itself deep valleys and chasms all over, beside a steep, star-shaped gorge near Garampani, where the whole Kupli falls over sixty feet to give rise to the well-known Iale falls also known in historical legends as Mahabati.
The Khandong reservoir of the Kopili Hydro Electric Project has now inundated Iale Falls and it cannot be seen for the better part of the year when the reservior is fairly full. Iale Falls was indeed a magnificent sighting and a favourite with tourists, till recently, when man's ingress on nature has all wiped it out of the roll of honor in so far as places of interest of North east India are concerned. Top
Stone Bridge at Thlumuwi
Located on the sixteenth Km of the Jowai-Muktapur-Dawki Road at a place called Thlumuwi, the stone bridge was built by U Mar Phalyngki and U Luh Lyngskor Lamare under the order of the Jaintia King. Tradition has it that when the Jaintia king shifted the kingdom's summer capital from Sutnga to Nartiang, he required his trusted lieutenants U Mar Phalyngki and U Luh Lyngskor Lamare to cause construction of a bridle-path from Nartiang to Jaintiapur to enable the king and his entourage to frequently commute between Nartiang, the summer capital and Jaintiapur, the regular capital of his kingdom without much inconvenience. The bridle path was constructed and completed with a magnificient stone bridge over the thlumuwi stream. The bridge was made of immense slabs of stone supported upon huge, tall stone pillars. Hundreds of years later during the turn of the present century, one of the stone slabs broke when a reckless elephant trader led some elephants, caught in a Kheddah Operation in Jaintia Hills, over the stone bridge instead of causing them to wade through the stream on their way down to Sylhet. The stone bridge with the collapsed and broken segment is still in position. The banks of the Thlumuwi stream with the cascading Muwi waterfall which overlook the stone bridge presents a memorable scenic panorama to every visitor. Top
Lubha Bridge
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An awe-inspiring single span pre-stressed concrete bridge spans the deep gorge over the turbulent Lubha River, off Sunapur on the Shillong, Jowai-Badarpur-Silchar Road, that is NH-44. The bridge serves as a critical link between the Brahmaputra Valley of Lower Assam and the Barak Valley of Cachar. It also serves as a virtual gateway for the land-locked States of
Syndai Caves
These caves have for long been a standing tourist attraction.
Located at Syndai village on the Jowai-Dawki Road, the Syndai Caves consists of Eleven independent caves namely -- >>
- The Amsohmahatang cave or Ka Krem Pubon Amsohmahatang which is the largest of this group of caves was discovered recently. A clear stream flows through the innumerable chambers of this cave.
- The Rupasor cave or Ka Krem Pubon Rupasor is the second largest of these caves. It consists of a number of large hall replete with resplendent stalactites and stalagmites.
- The Kriah cave of Ka Krem Pubon Kriah
- The Amkoi cave or Ka Krem Pubon Amkoi
- The Amkhloo cave or Ka Krem Pubon Amkhloo
- The Amlashriah cave or Ka Krem Pubon Amlashriah
- The Amthymme cave or Ka Krem Pubon Amthymme
- The Amkari cave or Ka Krem Pubon Amkari
- The Lyngngohnah cave or Ka Krem Pubon Lyngngohnah
- The Kynda cave or Ka Krem Pubon Kynda
- The Chair cave or Ka Krem Pubon Chuki.
Syntu Ksiar
A vast pool of calm water, where the flow of the meandering river Myntdu which almost encircles Jowai, appears to come to a sudden halt, is known as Syntu Ksiar which means Golden flower. At Syntu Ksiar, the Myntdu provides a memorable scene of remarkable beauty as it seemingly disappears for rest into the calm of the mighty pool and then, as if aroused from a momentary invigorating slumber, it runs its ever vibrant course, again. The river Myntdu provides precious life-giving waters to the vast fertile paddy lands located in its lush green valley which stretches endlessly till it meets the distant horizon in a haze. The scintillating impact of the Myntdu at Syntu Ksiar led the well known Jaintia composer and musician U Beriwell Kyndiah to pen the musical master piece entitled Wah Myntdu, often referred to as the Blue Danube of Meghalaya. Top
Summer Palace of Jaintia Kings
The ruins of the summer palace of the Jaintia kings at Nartiang are located on a hillock close to the well known Nartiang Temple. The palace appears to have consisted of several platforms and apartments probably used as living rooms, sacrificial rooms, entertainment halls, council chambers etc. According to local tradition, the walls of the palace were in their hey-day covered with paintings and engravings of flora, fauna and social events. The palace appears to have been fortified with fixed cannons, each of which pointed in a different direction. The remains of these cannons can still be seen. Top
Borghat Temple
Located at Borghat, close to the Bangladesh border, this rectangular brick-tile is presently in ruins. Tradition has it that the Jaintia Kings of yesteryear used to cause sacrifice to be offered at this temple, from time to time, to appreciate the gods. The dome of the temple shaped like a cupola, made of solid mass of hard stone fell off during the big earthquake of 1897 and is still intact and in one piece as it rests majestically on the side court of the temple. It can be reached by the Lad Rymbai-Bataw-Borghat Road which takes off from NH-44 at Lad Rymbai. Top
Letein Valley
The gently rolling downs of the southern slopes of Jaintia Hills are so beautiful that they can hardly be adequately described. Only those whose vision have been feasted in bewilderment of the uniqueness of the beauty of these areas can fully appreciate their panoramic magnificence. Even the well known English countryside would find it hard to compare itself with the beautiful, dancing valleys which exist of either side of the River Kwai in Sutnga and Nongkhlieh elakas of Jaintia Hills district. This area better known as Letein Valley can be best seen from the tableland on which Shnongrim village in Nongkhlieh Elaka is located. Shnongrim is easily accessible from Sutnga village which is sixteen kms off NH-44 and connected with a good tarred road. The letein valley looks like a well watered and well tended, endless golf-course with smooth green turf, bewitching glens and heavenly pleasant dales which disappear into the distant haze of the horizon under a clear and azure sky. Top
Umhang
Located at Bataw village in Jaintia Hills district, this awe-inspiring lake overlooks the golden yellow plains of Bangladesh. It resembles a gem in perfect sylvan setting. On either side, its banks are adorned by lush green forests which lend grace and beauty to the crystal clear waters of the Umhang. According to tradition, the lake was created by the famed Jaintia Chieftain U Sajar Nangli whose followers had also created the lake of Thadlaskein. It is said that once U Sajar and his followers dined on the spot where Umhang stands today as wholesome water was available from a small spring well which existed at the site. They were so pleased with the place and the quality of water that they spent several months working at the site, creating a lake which U Sajar Nangli hoped would be the biggest and brightest inland mass of water within the Jaintia Kingdom. Umhang was thus created. The people of Bataw regard Umhang as sanctified and do not permit its use for any other purpose. They offer annual sacrifice on its banks and zealously guard its environs from any ingress. Top
Dawki Bridge
The ancestry of the Sutnga Syiems who once ruled the Jaintia Kingdom is traced back to a mysterious incident which is said to have occurred in a bygone era at Waikhyrwi. Legends tells us that long ago, a handsome young fisherman U Luh Ryndi once caught a big silvery fish as he angled in the river Umwi. When he returned home, where he lived alone, he put the fish over the fire place. Forgetting all about it, he left home the net day for hunting. When he returned, he was surprised to find his house cleaned up and the food prepared. His queries to his neighbor about the good Samaritan who has done his household chores in his absence drew a blank. Luh was mystified. Next day, he hid himself in the hope of resolving the mystery of the unknown hand who had tended to his house the earlier day. At dusk, Luh spied a sudden movement over the fireplace where he had kept the silvery fish. He was stunned to see a mermaid coming out of the silvery fish he had caught. She slowly assumed full human form. She was tall, stately, fair, long haired, blue eyed and with perfect feet. She was an angelic lass of impeccable beauty. She went about the house setting things in order and preparing the evening meal. On questioning by Luh Ryndi, she told him that she was Ka Li Dakha, the silvery fish he had caught at Umwi. He married her and they lived happily together near Sutnga. They had five children, two girls and three boys, namely, Ka Raputong, Ka Rupanga, U Syngkhlein-am, U Bania-am and U Tetia. One day U Luh Ryndi and Ka Li Dakha went together to fish at a pool at Waikhyrwi also known as Thwei Syiem. As he tried to fish, Ka Li Dakha jumped into the pool, resumed her mermaid form and disappeared into its water. He tried to fish her out again and again, but failed to do so.
He threw his fishing rod in disgust and disappointment, tip downwards. The rod which struck the base of the pool, later sprouted giving rise to a species of bamboo whose branches fork downwards. This species of bamboo can still be found growing near the Waikhyrwi pool.
Years later, when there was a search for a ing to unite the Jaintia Dollois, U Luh Ryndi claimed the right for his children citing their divine origin through Ka Li Dakha. His claim was accepted. His elder daughter was recognized as the ancestral Queen Mother of the Sutnga Syiems, and, his younger daughter as the ancestral Queen mother for the Khatsawphra Syiems. Although the Jaintia Kingdom is no longer there, the pool at Waikhyrwi exists in all its pristine beauty till today. Top
Lechka
About a kilometer and a half off Pdengshakap village which is located on the Jowai-Amlarem-Muktapur-Dawki State Highway, there is the beautiful valley where the river Myntdu is met with two smaller rivulets. The panorama of the place leaves an indelible impression on the mind of any visitor. A Hydro-electric project is proposed to be taken up in the valley upstream of Lechka. The environs of the entire valley is captivatingly beautiful and has a hypnotic effect on a visitor. Top
Sutiang Fort
Located on a hill in between Tongseng and Shnongrim villages within Nongkhlieh Elaka of Jaintia Hills District, lies the ruins of an old stone fort or barricade, locally known as Sutiang Fort. According to local tradition this is the last fort of the Jaintias stormed by the British, during the war waged against them by the Jaintias under the leadership of U Kiang Nangbah, during 1862. The fort which consists of a large number of stone caves is well barricaded. Only after a long and protracted seize, could the British soldiers dislodge their Jaintia peers from the fort. U Swan Daloi of Sutnga died defending the fort. The battle at Sutiang Fort between the Jaintia and British forces is still remembered with awe and pride by the people. Top
Located at a place called Law Mulong within Nartiang village, there is a cluster of Menhirs locally known as Ki Moo Shynrang and Dolmens, locally known as Ki Moo Kynthai. The tallest Menhir in Meghalaya known as Moo Iong Syiem is located within this cluster and stands twenty feet tall. This particular Menhir was erected by U mar Phalyngki a trusted lieutenant of the Jaintia king. The other monoliths were erected by U Mar Phalyngki, U Luh Lyngskor LOamare and the inhabitants of Nartiang village between 1500 A.D and 1835 A.D.to commemorate glorious events of the Jaintia Kingdom. The Law Mulong as well as the adjacent Nartiang market place are regarded as sacred sites where puja according to the local religious rites are regularly performed. The monoliths of Nartiang are a major tourist attraction of the eastern part of the State of Meghalaya. Top
MemjubelA Large collection of pot-like objects carved out of stone lie on a hill-top near Saipung village overlooking the river Kupli which runs in between Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya and North Cachar Hills district of Assam. According to legend, these carved stone pots were the handiwork of the celebrated Jaintia Chieftain U Sajar Nangli and his followers. The collection and the location are locally known as Memjubel. Top
Ka Dur U Jumai
Ka Dur U Jumai or the image of the earthquake is found carved out of a huge rock located along the footpath from Syndai village to the Umpubon bridge on Jowai-Dawki road. The carving portrays a deity with a nose resembling an elephant trunk and the body of a man except that the head is conical at its upper extremity and one of its hands have only a thumb. According to local legend the carving depicts U JUmai or the earthquake which is caused by the movement of U Jumai's unique thumb. It gives an interesting insight into the unwritten and unrecorded beliefs of the Jaintias of earlier centuries. Top
Situated eight Kilometer off Jowai on the Jowai-Badarpur Road, i.e. NH-44, Ialong is one of the oldest villages of Jaintia Hills district close to the NH-44 and within the village area, there is a beautiful sacred grove known as Khloo Lyngdoh Ialong. Within this sacred grove there are the remains of an ancient boulder-fortress where the soldiers of the Jaintia King garrisoned themselves from time to time during the middle of the nineteen century. There is also a small but beautiful lake on the table land on which Ialong is located. The banks of the lake overlook the expansive, flat paddy fields on either side of the Myntdu river located at the foot of the tableland. An exciting view of these flat lands known as Pynthorwah is available to a viewer standing on the edge of the Ialong tableland, particularly during the harvest period when the ripened ears of paddy make the endless fields look mystically golden-yellow. Top
The largest Jaintia market is located at Jowai, the district headquarters, opposite the country old collectorate building and slightly older police station. It is better known as Iawmusiang and like many other weekly market in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills , it is held on every eight day. The Iawmusiang market derives its name from the sacred stone within the market which has been brought to ite present location from Nongbah, in ancient times. The sacred stone continues to be venerated and believers regularly offer puja to this stone, especially before the annual Behdienkhlam festival.
The site of the temporary gallows set up for the execution of the immortal Jaintia Martyr U Kiang Nangbah on 30th December 1862, now lies within the Iawmusiang market place. It is said that it would be difficult to find a Jaintia who has never once visited Iawmusiang. This reflects the socio-economic importance of this large central market place of the Jaintia Hills. Top
Rupasor Bathing Ghat
Located on the Jowai-Muktapur Road, the Rupasor Bathing Ghat consists of a beautiful bathing pool hewn out of rock which forms the bed of the Rupasor stream. Tradition has it that this pool was created by U Luh Lyngskor Lamare under the direction of the Jaintia King. The pool is nineteen and a half feet in length and fifteen feet in breadth. A flight of steps hewn out of the same mass of rock leads to the bottom of the pool. On the right wall of the pool, the replica of an elephant has been carved out of the same rock, to serve as platform for bathing princesses to sit upon. Overlooking the pool there are two huge rocks with designs of the Sun and Moon carved on them. The pool is fed by crystal clear water run off from the Rupasor stream. Top
The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health
Located at Raliang village, thirty kilometers off Jowai on the Jowai-Garampani Road, the shrine is built as an octagonal-cross. Outwardly it appears to be a triple storied structure, but internally it consists of a big hall with the alter at the center. It can accommodate about one thousand persons. Atop the dome of the shrine and over the alter, there is an imposing statue of Our Lady of Good Health, made of shimmering white marble standing upon a Globe. The Style of architecture of the shrine is Roman. There are three main entrances into the shrine. Each entrance has two doors. The windows consists of Roman arches. The entire shrine is a close replica of the Shrine of Our lady of Good Health at Turin, Italy. Te shrine was completed in January 1989. Top