A walk in the clouds

Meghalaya is one of the seven states of the north-east, and shares a border with Bangladesh in the south. Its highest points are engulfed in mist yesr-round, and its average elevation is just under 6,500 ft. not suprising, its name translates in to ‘adobe of clouds’ the cherrapunjee region of the khasi hills records the heaviest rainfall in the world. Its capital city, shilling, takes its name from u lei shyllong, who is supposed to be a manifestation of the creator, who, according to local legend, was born to a peasant girl. There is an air of mystery about the terrain-its misty heights, steep gorges and numerous rivers that cannot be navigated. The tribal population of the state is composed of khasis, jaintis and garos, and the cultural traits and ethnic origins of each remain distinctive, even today.