The current record holder,
as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, is the cluster of hamlets
known as Mawsynram in India.
Mawsynram is a village in the East Khasi Hills
district of Meghalaya state in North Eastern India, 65 kilometers from Shillong.
Mawsynram receives one of the highest rainfalls in India.
It is reportedly the
wettest place on Earth, with an average annual rainfall of 11,872 millimeters
(467.4 in). Cherrapunji has often been credited as being the wettest place on
Earth, but for now nearby Mawsynram currently holds that distinction.
Cherrapunji still holds the all-time record for the most rainfall in a calendar
month and in a year, however: it received 9,300 millimeters (370 in; 30.5 ft)
in July 1861 and 26,461 millimeters (1,041.8 in; 86.814 ft.) between 1 August
1860 and 31 July 1861.
Here are some facts you should know about the wettest place
on Earth a wonderland of India.
1. Matrilineal culture
The locals living in and around Cherrapunji
are known as Khasis. It is a matrilineal culture. After the wedding, the
husband of the youngest daughter goes to live with his wife's family, who own
the property of the family, while others live on their own getting a bit of the
share. The children take on the surname of the mother.
2. Cherrapunji
 |
| Cherrapunji Mountain |
Cherrapunji.
It’s known locally by its traditional name Sohra and is the second wettest
place on earth. Cherrapunji located on southern Meghalaya state with close
proximity to Mawsynram, Northeast India. It is located on the Shillong Plateau
about 35 miles (55 km) southwest of Shillong, the state capital. Cherrapunji is
noted for having one of the world’s highest average annual precipitation levels.
3. The Living Root Bridge
 |
| Double Living Root Bridge |
Living root
bridges are a form of tree shaping common in the southern part of the Northeast
Indian state of Meghalaya. They are handmade from the aerial roots of rubber
fig trees (Ficus elastica) by the Khasi and Jaintia peoples. Over hundreds of
years, the people in Cherrapunji have developed techniques for growing roots of
trees into large bridges. The process takes 10 to 15 years and the bridges
typically last hundreds of years, the oldest ones in use being over 500 years
old.
4. Dainthlen Waterfalls
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| Dainthlen waterfall |
These are one of
the most popular falls of Cherrapunji - even for the locals. Legends have it
that in the caves near the falls an evil snake was once killed. There are
carving on the rocks and caves nearby. The snake signifies greed and evil.
This otherwise beautiful work of nature is just 5km from the city.
5. Seven Sister Waterfalls
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| Seven Sisters Waterfalls |
The seven sister’s
waterfall is a kind of waterfall which symbolizes the seven states in northeast
namely Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram and
Meghalaya. The fall is separated with seven parts over the cliff of the
hills. The views are spectacular and
completely engross one individual with the view.
6. Mawjymbuin
 |
| Mawjymbuin limestone cave |
Located in
Mawsynram is a cave named Mawjymbuin, known for its stalagmites. Inside this
cave is a pair of notable speleothems - breast-shaped stalactite over a massive
stalagmite. The area is known for its many caves, commercialised and
non-commercialised, which contain remnants of a past that tells us of the
history of the plateau that was once present.
7. Khreng Viewpoint
 |
| Khreng Khreng Viewpoint |
The word 'Khreng
Khreng' means Cracked Rock in local Khasi language. From the viewpoint,
visitors can get the enchanting view of Syntein, the five village’s expertise
in bamboo handicrafts. Their products gained recognition within the country and
at the international level as well. From this point, one can also see the famous
historic hill Lum Iawpaw, Umngi river, Rit Syntein and besides an attractive
scenic beauty. This place also offers the best view of setting sun.
Cool right! Meghalaya is a paradise for the nature lover with its canyons, waterfall and
caves the place is a wonderland for tourist. Another interesting fact is that Mawlynnong The cleanest village in Asia is located here in
Meghalaya.
Image Courtesy
- Cherrapunji mountains By Varunmoka7 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60257061
- Double living root bridge in East Khasi Hills By Arshiya Urveeja Bose - Flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17238490
- Seven Sister Waterfalls By Rohan Mahanta - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49321251
- limestone cave By Sharada Prasad CS - Flickr: CSP_4312.JPG, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33485385
- Khreng Khreng Viewpoint, Mawsynram Tourism, Meghalaya, India.