All posts filed under: MEGHALAYA

RootsandLeisure_Travel_KrangShuri

Badal On A Trip To Krang Shuri – A New Tourist Hot Spot in Meghalaya

Published by Badal Nyalang

Recently, my expedition took me to yet another unexplored site in the hills of Meghalaya. It seemed as if nature has blessed these hills with innumerable locations that travelers from afar get attracted to. Here’s how it began. After almost an hour journeying from Shillong towards Jowai, then taking another 45 minutes towards Amlarem, we finally reached our destination, Krang Shuri. A beautiful bliss of nature and a must visit for everyone travelling to Meghalaya. You would need to walk another kilometer or so to reach the location but on the way,  you can see the waterfall from a distance. My friend, who came along couldn’t resist taking a picture. From this place walk for about 5 minutes and you will reach the ticket counter. A minimum of ₹30 per person is charged as an entry free to Krang Shuri. Upon entry, we saw a huge crowd carrying their life jacket (for safety of course) heading towards a mini dam like structure where you could swim. We arrived near the natural pool and the first …

RootsandLeisure_Indian Ocean

It Took Us 28 Years to Reach Shillong : An Exclusive Interview with Indian Ocean Band

Published by Shweta Rao

India’s happiest music festival is here! Music fans across the country have been eagerly waiting for Bacardi NH7 Weekender. And this time around, the festival is back with more exciting artists that promise action-packed performances. The multi-city music festival, which has previously played host to stellar performers like AR Rahman, Mark Ronson, Vishal Dadlani and Nucleya among others will be starting off at Shillong (27 to 28 October) again this year and will have its final showdown at Pune (8 to 10 December). As the marvelous musical weekend nears, Shweta from Roots & Leisure sat down to speak with members of Indian Ocean, a band that has been a staple at NH7 Weekender for a few years now and is a phenomenon in itself. Amit Kilam (drums, percussions and vocals) and Nikhil Rao (lead guitarist) tell us about what’s in store for their fans in the 2017 edition of one of India’s largest music festival. Photo : Indian Ocean What are you looking forward to the most about performing at NH7 Weekender this year?   Amit …

RootsandLeisure_NH7WeekenderShillong2017_7

Are You Headed to Bacardi NH7 Weekender 2017 Shillong ?

Published by Roots & Leisure

Folks! It’s time for another music festival in this beautiful part of the country – in the North East of India. Brace yourself for BACARDI NH7 Weekender 2017 – the Shillong edition, to be held on the 27th and 28th Oct. Looks like many of us are headed to “Wenfield, The Festive Hills” – Thadlaskein, Lad Mukhla, in Jaintia Hills – the venue for the happiest music festival! What are our folks saying about the festival? In order to give you guys a good enough view of the festival – in terms of what to expect, we reached out to a bunch of festival goers, to share their experiences, and how they are planning for this year’s event. Soyingo Ezung, 27, Entrepreneur | Owner, House of Candy “One of the coolest events to take place in India hands down. Very well organized and very safe event – but nonetheless, be safe and don’t forget to enjoy! Keep a lookout for the local musicians – you will be amazed at all the talent India has – in every …

RootsandLeisure_Travel_Monolith

Travel | Cluster of Age-Old Monoliths Amidst the Hills of Meghalaya

Published by Badal Nyalang

What exactly is a monolith ? Why are they there in the first place? With these questions in mind I wandered off to look for answers and got my reading glasses ready to do some research. The word monolith comes from the Greek word “monolithos”, derived from mono (“one” or “single”) and lithos (“stone”). I begin my exploration in the hub of all monoliths in Meghalaya, Nartiang village in the Jaintia Hills district. It is the place to start if you are looking for a rocky site full of traditional memories and hidden stories. They call it the “Monolith garden”. These monoliths are said to be a testimony of a sovereign strength. They are a symbol of tradition in the Jaintia Hills among the “pnar” tribes. It is said that these monoliths were erected to mark the reigns of the erstwhile Jaintia king. There are folktales to explain the existence of these ancient monuments. Looking for these stories was the highlight of my mini research. I always wondered on how the monoliths came to be in such …

RootsandLeisure_JonathanDkhar

Man of Many Passions | Jonathan Dkhar from Meghalaya

Published by Roots & Leisure

“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” — Oprah Winfrey If not for passion, how else can we gather enough energy to pursue all that our heart longs to do. Jonathan Dkhar, from the hills of Shillong seems to have figured that out. He is a lawyer by profession but has many passions – he is a biker and a musician; he plays as a session drummer for two bands : one a progressive metal band called ‘Dwar’ and another a heavy rock/ metal band called ‘Akhia’. His energy in turn inspires many to live each moment with passion. Here’s a chat with Jonathan Dhkar to understand why and how he juggles many interests. Hi Jonathan! Tell us something about yourself. I have lived in Meghalaya my whole life , and I am currently working full time as a lawyer.  As a part time activity, I play the drums with a couple of bands here in Shillong. I also love going for long rides on my bike and exploring the …

RootsandLeisure_Faces_Meghalaya

Faces | Narrating Old Tales of Folklore

Published by Pooja Ghose

“Her name is Prisca Persina Lynrah. She resides in Sohra, popularly known as Cherapunjee, located in East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. I met her a few months back, when I was searching for a elderly woman to play a small role in my short film. At the age of 94, I found her grace and memories so magnetic, that now I keep on visiting her to listen to her century old folktales and wisdom of the khasi tribes inhabiting there.” ~ Harshil Bhanusali, Film Director & Photographer.  

RootsandLeisure_MaplePineFarm

Discovery of The Most Beautiful Cottage in Meghalaya | Maple Pine Farm

Published by Badal Nyalang

Surrounded by waterfalls that tumble down and pound on the rocks and hill, the rivers that susurrate tales of the tribes, the slopes that run craggy in places, gentle otherwise; meandering mountain roads, our contributor, Badal had started out to explore the South West Khasi Hills in Meghalaya when nature exposed her flawlessly fallow fragment – unsettling him in the most gratifying manner. Perhaps, the Japanese author, Haruki Murakami is right when he says, “Whatever it is you’re seeking won’t come in the form you’re expecting.” Our friend Badal shares his experience of discovering a beautiful Bed & Breakfast guest house in the midst of nature – about 25 kms away from Shillong If you’ve ever visited Shillong, Meghalaya, what is the best thing you can remember? Waterfalls, hills, rivers, rain, cloud and what else? Well, one thing that’s heard of very often from this part of Northeast India, are the monolith and of course the sacred groves. If you haven’t visited, then that’s a must-visit. Exploring the South West Khasi Hills with Badal “My short expedition started …

RootsandLeisure_KinihoClothing

Sustainable Fashion from Meghalaya | Meet Iba Mallai of KINIHO Clothing

Published by Shiori Chan

Scudding through the abode of clouds, comes Iba Mallai and her line of clothing, Kiniho- sown in tradition and sewed in heritage, the fabrics are a manifestation of earth and art, of passion and fashion but most importantly, of roots and responsibility. Born to a middle class family in Diwon, Meghalaya, Iba, a fashion enthusiast is a serious and a driven entrepreneur. As she labours to get her label going, she hasn’t forgotten that the only push ahead, comes with strengthening community development. Hi Iba! Tell us something about yourself My name is Iba Mallai. I graduated in BBM and completed my Fashion designing course from JD Institute of Fashion and Technology Bangalore. I am constantly enamoured by exquisite colours, traditions and art forms. My deep rooted love for nature and growing up in a community that weaves and dyes their own fabrics has triggered me to re define that Fashion is not only about wearing trendy clothes but also wearing responsibility in the heart. Responsibility to preserve our heritage and basic ethics of sustainable responsibility. …

RootsandLeisure_JowaiMeghalaya

Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya | Places to visit in and around Jowai

Published by Kumti

Folks we are in Meghalaya today. Let us explore the Jaintia hills – starting from Jowai, which is the business and education hub of the region.  Jowai town in itself, is not the ultimate  ‘tourist location’ in the area, but it is surrounded by many local hotspots – so let us take you through some of them.  Jowai town is situated around 65 kms from Shillong (~2 hours ride). It’s a beautiful scenic town sitting shy on a plateau surrounded on three sides by the Myntdu river. “I love coming back to my hometown Jowai every once in a while – to escape from the noise, and to enjoy the fresh air and solitude. We have some really beautiful picnic spots – complete with luscious green grass and pink wild flowers. Aren’t these photos like a dream? Must visit! ” @orangesarelemons Syntu Ksiar is about 5 kms away from Jowai and is one of the most popular hangout spots for locals and tourists alike. People usually come here for picnics, and to enjoy an afternoon of fresh air and angling. …

RootsandLeisure_ML05Cafe

ML 05 Cafe Shillong | A Biker’s Retreat Nestled in the Lap of Nature

Published by Pooja Ghose

Dear readers, are you ready to discover your next favorite hangout spot in Shillong? Well, we just discovered this cafe called ‘ML 05’ on 5th Mile, Upper Shillong. With its custom-themed decor and ambiance reflecting the owner’s love of sports, bikes, and travel, it is indeed the perfect retreat/haven for bikers and travelers alike. We spent a cozy evening at ML 05 Cafe on an evening stroll around Upper Shillong, and had some yummy comfort food like wai wai thukpa, onion bhajia – with our favorite cup of hot chai. Located right beside a pine forest, the outdoor view was just as pleasant as the ambiance inside. This new cafe has only begun operations in May last year (2016), but it comes as no surprise that it is already one of the favorite spots for locals and tourists around the region. We had a tete-a-tete with Vatsala Tibrewalla, who manages the cafe along with her brother Deval Tibrewalla, who also co-owns the Dylan’s Cafe with her. How did you come up with the idea for ML 05 …