Cherrapunjee Tourism - The Land Synonymous With Rain

Cherrapunjee, the wettest place in the world is a big hit with tourists. It is a town located in the East Khasi Hills district in the North Eastern state Meghalaya. It is inhabited by people known as Khasis belonging to the Khasi tribe of Meghalaya. The town is not only unique in its geographical features but is also unique in its culture. According to the 'matriarchal' culture in the town, after the marriage the husband goes to live with his wife's family at her place. Their children take on the surname of the mother.

Come to Cherrapunjee and experience the heavy rains and its lush green vegetation. The town is locally known as Cherra. It was originally known as Sohra. It is a plateau located at an average elevation of 4823 feet. It occupies a prized place on the global map of tourism and was the first British outpost in north east India. From this town you can get great views of Bangladesh. Unfortunately, despite heavy rainfall, people of Cherrapunjee face water shortage. They have to walk for miles for obtaining potable water. Depletion of the top soil is a grave effect of the heavy rains in the town due to which agriculture is hampered.

The world famous town of Cherrapunjee is also famous for its beautiful limestone caves and orange honey. On your trip to the town do visit its wonderful Nohsngithiang Falls which is very picturesque. The average annual rainfall received by this town is 11,430 mm. It has been listed twice in the Guinness Book of World Records.

• For receiving the maximum amount of rainfall in a single year: 22,987 mm of rainfall between August 1860 and July 1861.
• For receiving the maximum amount of rainfall in a single month: 9299.96 mm in July 1861.

Cherrapunjee is easily accessible from Shillong by bus and taxi as it is only 60 km from Shillong.