The Elephant Falls are a two-tier waterfall in Shillong, Meghalaya, India. [1] The mountain stream descends through two successive falls set in dells of fern-covered rocks. [2]
The Elephant Falls are a two-tier waterfall in Shillong, Meghalaya, India. [1] The mountain stream descends through two successive falls set in dells of fern-covered rocks. [2]
The original Khasi name for the falls is Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew, which translates to "the three-step waterfall". [3] This name is still used locally. However, the modern name is explained by a signboard near the waterfall. [4] The name originated in the British era when the Englishmen spotted a giant rock that looked like an elephant near the fall. This rock was destroyed in the 1897 due to an earthquake. [5]
The first fall of Elephant Falls is an example of a horsetail-punchbowl waterfall. The first fall is very broad and is hidden among trees. The second fall however, is quite domesticated and in the winters (and drier months) looks inconsequential. The third fall is the tallest and comes into view suddenly and looks most spectacular with crystal clear water falling over sharp rocks of myriad shapes. [6] [7]
The sides of the waterfall are flanked by lush greenery and are rich in ferns.
Elephant Falls is situated at the outskirts of the main city of Shillong in the East Khasi Hills District, Upper Shillong. It is almost 12 km away from the Shillong city center.
A small signboard quite close to the Shillong Peak marks a small road that turns off to the edge of the mountain. This road leads to the falls.
From the gate, there is a steep, slippery flight of stairs to navigate each level of the fall with the first and second level facilitated with benches to rest and relax.
A ticket costing 20 INR is required to view the fall with an additional charge of 20 INR for permission to bring the camera. [8]
Meghalaya is a state in northeast India. Meghalaya was formed on 21 January 1972 by carving out two districts from the state of Assam: (a) the United Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills and (b) the Garo Hills. The estimated population of Meghalaya in 2014 was 3,211,474. Meghalaya covers an area of approximately 22,429 square kilometres, with a length-to-breadth ratio of about 3:1.
Shillong is a hill station and the capital of Meghalaya, a state in northeastern India. It is the headquarters of the East Khasi Hills district. Shillong is the 330th most populous city in India with a population of 143,229 according to the 2011 census. It is said that the rolling hills around the town reminded the British of Scotland. Hence, they would refer to it as the "Scotland of the East".
East Khasi Hills is an administrative district in the state of Meghalaya in India. The district headquarters are located at Shillong. The district occupies an area of 2,748 km2 and has a population of 825,922. As of 2011, it is the most populous of Meghalaya's 12 districts.
West Khasi Hills is an administrative district in the state of Meghalaya in India.
The Garo Hills are part of the Garo-Khasi range in Meghalaya state of India. They are inhabited by the Garo people. It is one of the wettest places in the world. The range is part of the Meghalaya subtropical forests ecoregion.
The Khasi Hills are a low mountain formation on the Shillong Plateau in the Meghalaya state of India. The Khasi Hills are part of the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia range and connect with the Purvanchal Range and the larger Patkai Range further east. The Khasi Hills, and the whole Garo-Khasi-Jaintia range, are in the Meghalaya subtropical forests ecoregion.
The Meghalaya subtropical forests is an ecoregion of Northeast India. The ecoregion covers an area of 41,700 square kilometers (16,100 sq mi), and despite its name, comprise not only the state of Meghalaya, but also parts of southern Assam, and a tiny bit of Nagaland around Dimapur and adjacent Bangladesh. It also contains many other habitats than subtropical forests, but the montane subtropical forests found in Meghalaya is an important biome, and was once much more widespread in the region, and for these reasons chosen as the most suitable name. The scientific designation is IM0126.
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Paul Lyngdoh is an Indian politician, poet, author, songwriter and musician from Shillong, Meghalaya.
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Silverine Swer (1910–2014), popularly known as Kong Sil, was an Indian social and environmental activist, educationist and civil servant. She was the first person of tribal origin to hold senior posts with the Government of Meghalaya, and was a recipient of the Silver Elephant Medal of the Bharat Scouts and Guides Award and Kaisar-i-Hind Medal. The Government of India awarded her the fourth highest civilian award of Padma Shri in 1990, making her the first recipient of the award from the state of Meghalaya.
Laitmynsaw is a village located in Mylliem Tehsil, East Khasi Hills District. As of the year of 2022, it had a total population of around 198 people. Its sex ratio was 1,058 females per thousand males, which is higher than that of Meghalaya (984). Children age 0-6 number 33, or 18.64% of the total population. The village's literacy rate is 90.28%, higher than the average rate of Meghalaya (74.43%); 88.57% for males and 91.89% for females. The village was declared an Open Defecation Free (ODF) Village on 2 October 2016 and was awarded with a certificate from the then MLA of Mylliem constituency, Ronnie V Lyngdoh. The village was also awarded the most initiative village of East Khasi Hills in the year 2017 and was awarded a cash process of ₹ 50,000. The people of the village have been indulged in a practice of cleaning the village and surrounding are once a week and the teachings is being passed on to the younger generations as well.
North Shillong is one of the 60 Legislative Assembly constituencies of Meghalaya state in India. It is part of East Khasi Hills district and is reserved for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribes. It falls under Shillong Lok Sabha constituency. The seat had been vacant following the resignation of Adelbert Nongrum, formerly of the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) on 12 January 2023. Nongrum won the seat again following the 2023 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election.
West Shillong is one of the 60 Legislative Assembly constituencies of Meghalaya state in India. It is part of East Khasi Hills district. It falls under Shillong Lok Sabha constituency and its current MLA is Paul Lyngdoh of United Democratic Party.
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