jaintia hills

Location: Meghalaya
Tourist Attractions: Thadlaskein Lake, Kiang Nangbah Monument, and Syndal Cave
District Headquarters At: Jowai
Best Time to Visit: September To May
Blessed by Nature with abundant rainfall, smiling sunshine, green forests, high plateaus, bewitching valleys, crystal rivers, tumbling waterfalls and dreamy streamlets, the hill district of Jaintia are some of the most beautiful sights, each one an unforgettable aesthetic-feast to every visitor.

Topography: Jaintia Hills being a component of the Meghalaya Plateau has its physiographical features almost similar to that of Khasi Hills. The only difference is that Jaintia Hills has comparably more flat topography with a mild gradient. The hills gently slope towards Brahmaputra valley of Assam in the North and overlook the gentle plains of Bangladesh in the South.
The Marangksih Peak on the Eastern plateau of Jaintia Hills stands majestically at the elevation of 1,631 meters from the mean sea level of Karachi and is the highest peak in the entire District. The main elevation of the district ranges between 1,050m to 1,350m with Jowai, which was established in the year 1972 as it’s headquarter lies on the central plateau. Jowai is situated 64-km away from Shillong, along the Shillong-Silchar national highway. A picturesque town circled by the majestic Myntdu River.
In general, the whole District is full of rugged and undulating terrains with the exception of the deep gorges, steep precipice and narrow valleys carved out by the rivers of Umngot, Myntdu, Lukha, Myntang and a good number of other turbulent streams that drain out all over the District. The Jaintia Hills is richly endowed with natural resources and in the by gone days was endowed with rich flora and fauna.

Thadlakein Lake: 56-km from Shillong, the lake according to legend was dug with the end of bows by members of 290 clans of U Sajjar Niangli, a rebel general of Jaintia Raja, to commemorate the great exodus of the clans, now mainly settled in the Ri Bhoi and West Khasi Hills districts.

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, erected by the Jaintia people in Honour of U Kiang Nangbah, the Jaintia patriot who died a martyr to the cause of Jaintia freedom. The monument is a grateful people's tribute to their immortal martyr.

Nartiang: 65-km from Shillong, was the summer capital of the Jaintia kings, of Sutnga state. Huge monoliths form the striking landmarks of the village, said to be erected by Mar Phalyngki, a 'Goliath' of yore. The Nartiang Menhir measure 27 feet in height above the ground, 6 feet in breadth and 2 feet 6 inches in thickness. The monoliths represent the megalithic culture of the Hynniewtrep people. A 500-year-old temple of Goddess Durga is another attraction at Nartiang.
Stone Bridge At Thlumuwi: Located on the 16-km of the Jowai - Muktapur - Dawki Road at a place called Thlumuwi a stone bridge was built. The bridge was made of immense slabs of stone supported upon huge, tall stone pillars. The bank of the Thlumuwi stream with the cascading Thlu Muwi waterfall, which overlooks the stone bridge, presents a memorable scenic-panorama to every visitor.

Syndai: An important village located in the Jowai-Dawki Road dotted with a number of caves and caverns. Till date eleven independent caves have been discovered near Syndai. Collectively these are known as Syndai Caves. Caves were used as hideouts during war times between the Jaintia kings and foreign intruders. The eleven caves are the Amsohmahatang Cave, the Rupasor Cave, the Kriah Cave, the Amkoi Cave, the Amkhloo Cave, the Amlashriah Cave, the Amthymme Cave, the Amkari Cave, the Lyngngohmah Cave, the Kynda Cave and the Chair Cave. The cave have for long been a standing tourist attraction. Besides these there are some relics of the past, e.g. old brick temple, ruined stone bridge, a pool of water which was fed through the trunk of curved stone elephant - standing still to this day and a rock with 'Ganesha' Carving.

Syntu Ksiar: A vast pool of calm water, where the flow of the meandering river Myntdu, which almost encircles the Owai Town, 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.

The Festival Of Behdeinkhlam: An event at once majestic and colourful, Behdeinkhlam is celebrated n the month of July to ensure that the crops just sown yield a bountiful harvest. The actual festival runs for four days, featuring religious ceremonies, processions, and dancing-usually in the rain-and an ancient game "Akim" to soccer but played with wooden ball.