Cherrapunji

Perpetual clouds, perpetual mists, perpetual rains

High above misty valleys and foaming rivers, ensconced in swirling clouds and perched on an escarpment, lies Cherrapunji (4,500 feet). This is a stunning location and the year-round rain earned Cherrapunji coveted entry long ago into the Guinness Book of World Records as the wettest place on earth, the place where the rainfall can be recorded in feet rather than in millimeters.

Today, climatic changes have edged Cherrapunji out of the topmost 'wet' slot, but it still retains its pristine beauty, its unusual facets, the perpetual clouds, and the perpetual mists…. Appropriately, Cherrapunji lies in the heart of the State of Meghalaya – the abode of clouds.

Best time to visit: Cherrapunji is perhaps the only place in India, which has just one season: the monsoon. The rainfall varies from heavy to medium to light, but there is no month without rain. Another surprising fact about Cherrapunji is that it rains mostly at night. Day-to-day activity is not really disrupted by the rain.

History: As in days gone by, the faces of Cherrapunji change not with the seasons, but with the pattern of rainfall. The heaviest downpours span approximately five long months – from May until September. The clouds then are dark and menacing, full blown with rain, which descends earthwards with the stinging force of a whiplash.

Throughout these months, Cherrapunji is transformed into a sea of tiny, gushing rivulets. The raindrops beat incessantly on rooftops and treetops creating a compelling tattoo of awesome sounds, which cannot be savored anywhere else but in the Northeastern states. These are also the 'record-making' months, which contribute to records such as the stunning 22,987 mm of rainfall in 1861. The annual average rainfall of Cherrapunji stands today at 10,871 millimeters. Barely 10 km from Cherrapunji stands the village of Mawsynram, which has snatched away the heaviest rainfall record, with 12,163 millimeters of rainfall.

With the passage of September, the rhythm of the rain – its main force spent – changes to a gentle patter. And the Khasis and other residents of Cherrapunji, the flora, and the fauna respond to the change in the Rain God's mood. Soft pastel shades begin to appear in skies that were gray all day and rainbows that are a photographer's delight begin to make unexpected guest appearances.

Tourist attractions: The home of enterprising Khasi clans, Cherrapunji's place in the Guinness Book of Records is not its only claim to fame. Along with falls lesser in height but no less alluring, the spectacular, cascading 1,035-ft-high Mawsmai Falls – the fourth highest in India – lie just a few kilometers beyond Cherrapunji.

Close by is situated a fascinating labyrinth of underground passages beneath age-old caves – a veritable dream for amateur explorers. Elsewhere around Cherrapunji, Khasi monoliths (stones in memory of their ancestors) lie dotted around – a vague reminder of the forests of Bastar.

Amidst all the surprises of Cherrapunji, perhaps the most abiding is the startling realization that the wettest place on earth where it rains every month also has an amazing amount of warm sunshine. When the clouds drift away, there are a series of memorable views, and one can see as far as Bangladesh. Orchids blooming a few feet away form a patch devoid of vegetation. Dense woods interspersed by rocky, cliffs furrowed by erosion.

As the months move on, the smell of decaying vegetation lessens as the showers become intermittent. New plants spring to life, and people go about their tasks with renewed energy.

The hills around Cherrapunji do not have the lush green vegetation one normally associates with wet places. The vegetative cover in the form of dense woods appears in patches and constitutes yet another marvelous surprise: the richness and variety of the flora in these 'zones' has to be seen to be believed. An amazing variety of rare orchids, ferns, and moss convert each pocket into a botanist's paradise. Cherrapunji produces the best quality of oranges as well as pineapples. In fact, Cherrapunji oranges are the ancestors of the famous Nagpuri oranges in the Central India.

Where to stay: Cherrapunji has several comfortable private hotels. Staying at the Circuit House and the Dak Bungalow require prior permission from the administration.

How to reach: Cherrapunji is 58 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. A steep motorable road, almost perpetually bathed in mist as it climbs upwards on the last lap, leads up to Cherrapunji. Buses and taxis ply to Cherrapunji from Shillong.

Konark:Legends of Sun Temple

Konark Sun Temple

 

The temple city of Konark is situated in the eastern state of Orissa at a distance of around 65 km from Bhubaneswar and 35 km from Puri.

Being close to the sea, the climate of Konark is never very harsh. With greenery surrounding the place, rainfall is heavy. The best season to visit Konark is between October and March; however, one can go there throughout the year.



History: Myths and legends are an integral part of most of the Indian temples and the Sun Temple of Konark is no exception to it. Crowned as the Black Pagoda, this 13th-century temple is said to be related to Lord Krishna. Legends say that Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, was afflicted by leprosy, brought about by his father's curse on him. After 12 years of penance, he was cured by Surya, the Sun God, in whose honor he built this temple.

However, history relates that Konark was actually built by Narsinhadeva I of Ganga dynasty in the 13th century AD on his victory over the Mughals. The temple fell into disuse in the early 17th century after it was desecrated by an envoy of the Mughal emperor Jahangir.

Tourist attractions:

The UNESCO has listed the Sun Temple as a World Heritage Site. The structure of the temple resembles a colossal chariot, with 24 wheels, pulled by seven straining horses, and has a three-tiered pyramidal roof topped off by a fine spire. The Sun God's chariot also represents the seven days of the week and the 24 hours of the day. The temple is a brilliant chronicle in stone, with impressive sculptures. Every aspect of life is represented here, and the erotic imagery depicts the sublimation of human love manifested in countless forms. Scenes from court, civic life, and war are also done with great precision.

The museum of the Archeological Survey of India is just outside the temple enclosure. The museum houses many sculptures and carvings from the ruins of the Sun Temple. The stone images of nine planet deities, the Navagrahas, which were originally set above the temple's ornamental doorways are now kept as a living shrine.

Situated around 3 km from the temple is Konark beach. The beach is very picturesque and one gets the beautiful sight of sunrise over here. One can also enjoy sunbathing here.

Places around:

Kuruma is at a distance of around 8 km from Konark and is approachable by jeep. Many Buddhist sites have been excavated here. A recent excavation has unearthed antique images of Buddha seated in Bhumisparsa Mudra (earth-touching pose) along with the image of Heruka, who is related to Buddha Akshobhya family (water element).

Chaurasi is the site of the shrines dedicated to Laxminarayanan, Amareshras, and Barahi. Barahi is a deity dating back to the 9th century AD, worshipped according to tantrik practices. She is a mother goddess with the face of a boar and is depicted holding a fish in one hand and a cup in another.

Pipli is on the way to Konark from Puri. The place is famous for its exquisite appliqué work, which depicts the essence of Oriya culture. It is also the home of the most colorful and original awnings, canopies, garden and beach umbrellas, shoulder handbags, etc. The cocktail effect of the colors is certainly a feast for the eyes.

Situated 7 km from Konark, Ramachandi is located at the confluence of the river Kusabhadra and the Bay of Bengal. The deity of Konark, Goddess Ramachandi, is worshipped here.

At 45 km from Konark, Kakatapur is located in the Prachi valley and is famous for its shrines of Goddess Mangala and Banadurga. Legend has it that the directions for reaching the holy log from which is created Lord Jagannath's icon comes from her. The famous 'Jhamu Yatra' is held in April-May when devotees walk over a narrow trench strewn with embers. A famous fishing harbor, Astranga (of eight colors) lies 55 km from Konark. Washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal, with its magnificent sunsets, the place really lives to its name.

Fairs & festivals:

The Sun Temple of Konark provides an ideal backdrop for the famous Konark Dance Festival, which is celebrated every year in the month of December. Most of the renowned Indian classical dancers perform here and the festival provides a good occasion for the people interested in higher forms of dance such as Bharat Natyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kathakali, etc.

Apart from the classical dance forms, Chau-Orissa's own folk dance form – is also performed during the festival.

The Chandrabhaga Mela or Magh Saptami Mela held in the month of February is a grand religious festival. Thousands of pilgrims converge on the pool on this day to take a holy dip in its curative waters, and then shuffle off to the beach where, in accordance with an age-old custom mentioned in the Puranas, they watch the sun rise over the sea. The event is followed by the puja of the Navagraha.

Chaitra Prabha in March-April is the regional harvest festival celebrated with colorful tribal dances, including Chau.



How to reach: There is no direct connection to Konark by air. Nearest airheads are Bhubaneswar and Puri. The nearest railheads are Puri and Bhubaneswar. These two stations are connected to all the major cities in India through long-distance trains. It is connected with Kolkata, Bijapur, and Vishakhapatnam by road.