8 mesmerizing waterfalls in Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji is known across the globe for its rainfall. And the endless rain has given birth to all the mesmerizing waterfalls in Cherrapunji. A visit to Meghalaya is meaningless without spending quality time in Cherrapunji. The beautiful waterfalls will leave you mesmerized.

1. Nohsngithiang Falls, Cherrapunji – Fourth highest fall in India

Nohsngithiang, the fourth highest waterfall in India is located at the wettest place on earth, Cherrapunji. Nohsngithiang, is also known as the Seven Sisters Waterfalls or Mawsmai Falls.

This seven-segmented waterfall is located south of Mawsmai village in East Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya. The water falls from a height of 315 metres (1,033 ft) and has an average width of 70 metres (230 ft) making it one of the tallest waterfalls in India. Its beauty is enhanced in the monsoon and its thrilling view mesmerizes any traveller.

The falls plunges over the top of limestone cliffs of the Khasi hills only during the monsoon season. The color of the setting sun on the waterfall makes it look vibrant and beautiful.

In the Sohra area, there are several waterfalls including Nohkalikai falls and Dain Thlen Falls. The Jaintia Hills and the Garo Hills also have many waterfalls, notably the Tyrchi Falls en route to Jowai and the Pelga Falls near Tura.

The site of the falls is well connected with Cherrapunji and Shillong.

The nearest airport is Shillong airport and the nearest train station is Guwahati railway station.

2. Nohkalikai Falls, Cherrapunji tallest plunge waterfall in India

Nohkalikai Falls in India is located at the wettest place on earth, Cherrapunji.

Nohkalikai Falls is amongst the beautiful waterfalls in Meghalaya, located at a distance of 7 kms from Cherrapunji. It is the highest plunge waterfall in India.

Nohkalikai Falls are fed by the rainwater collected on the summit of a comparatively small plateau and decrease in power during the dry season in December – February.

The water cascades down from a lofty height and falls forcefully, forming a deep plunge pool, where the water remains green in summer months and turns blue in winter.

A viewing gallery at the top where one can climb up the stairs to enjoy the bird’s eye view of the waterfall and the stunning plunge pool is there.

There is an interesting story about how the falls got its name. According to legends, in the village of Rangjyrteh, upstream from Nohkalikai Falls, a woman named Likai resided who remarried after her husband died.

Ka Likai (Ka is the prefix given for the female gender in Khasi) was left with an infant girl with no means of income. So she had to become a porter herself. Her work required her to leave her daughter unattended for long intervals but when she would be at home she would spend most of her time taking care of her infant.

Ka Likai, who married a second time, couldn’t pay attention to her second husband. The jealous husband killed the infant and cooked her meat after throwing away her head and bones. When Ka Likai returned home, she saw nobody in the house only a meal that had been prepared. She wanted to go look for her daughter but as she was tired from work she ate the meat.

Ka Likai usually had a betel leaf after her meals but she found a severed finger near the place where she usually cut betel nuts and betel leaves. Ka Likai realized what had happened in her absence and went mad with anger and grief and started running as she swung a hatchet in her hand. She ran off the edge of the plateau and the waterfall where she jumped from was named Nohkalikai Falls after her.

The site of the falls is well connected with Cherrapunji or directly from Shillong.

3. Kynrem Falls, Cherrapunji – Seventh highest waterfall in India

The three-levelled Kynrem Falls is situated about 12 kilometres from Cherrapunji inside the Thangkharang Park. Kynrem Waterfall is considered to the seventh highest waterfall in India.

One of the major attraction here is Pillar Rock or Shiva Rock. Locally known as Khoh Ramhah or Mothorp, this is a huge rock located just beside the falls and offers amazing view of the plains of Meghalaya.It is shaped as a giant cone.

To visit the falls the best season is monsoon, as the water level rises and you get to see water gushing down the rocks. Monsoons are in the months of June to September.

Kynrem Falls is well-connected with taxis from Cherrapunji. One can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach park, and then a 3 to 5-minute hike downhill will take you to the waterfall.

You can also get taxis from Shillong Police Bazaar outside the MTDC complex and Polo grounds. Buses are available from MTC Bus Terminus. Meghalaya is widely connected from Assam’s Guwahati and you can avail many local or pre-paid taxis from the plains as well. Shillong airport is the closest.

4. Dainthlen Falls, Cherrapunji

Dainthlen Falls is one of the most picturesque waterfalls, located at Sohra, near Cherrapunji, best known for its marvellous and gorgeous vista.

Legend has it, that the waterfall derived its name from gigantic a serpent, that used to live in a nearby cave. Local people killed this huge snake due to its destructive nature. To this day, you can notice natural rock carvings about the occurrence when the snake was killed which draws the visitors to see the spitting image of the serpent. Hence the name struck Dain Thlen which is located in Sohra, one of Khasi hill states.

The view of water gushing down in full force is the most amazing beauty that one can experience from the viewing gallery.

To visit the falls the best season is monsoon, as the water level rises and you get to see water gushing down the rocks. Monsoons fall in the months of June to September.

You can take local or pre-paid taxis from Shillong to Sohra. It will take about an hour to reach. You can get taxis from Shillong’s Police Bazaar outside the MTDC complex and Polo grounds. Buses are available from MTC Bus Terminus. Shillong airport is the closest.

5. Wah Kaba Falls, Cherrapunji

The first significant falls of Sohra is called the Wah Kaba Falls. The most amazing thing about this falls is that you can trace it down from its fall to the

This waterfall is best visited during monsoons. The waterfall drops from a steep rocky side and plunges hundreds of meters down to a gorge. The water flowing through the falls is crystal clear.

Situated right on the road side, it is easily accessible and needs a short hike to reach the waterfall viewpoint. Visitors can even go to the edge of the waterfall where one can see some safety barriers in place to prevent accidents.

There is a legend associated with the waterfalls. There lived two fairies – one fair and one dark in this region. They would mingle with the regular people and lure men to visit them by hypnotizing them. The young men would disappear for months together and return back only later as if they were never gone. They say that the men used to get married to the fairies. A lot of people still believe the legend.

The falls is located on the Shillong-Cherrapunji Road, Cherrapunji. People can get a taxi from Shillong. Nearest airport is Shillong Airport.

6. Wakaba Falls, Cherrapunji

Wakaba Falls is also sometimes referred to as canyon waterfalls because the entire piece of land around resembles a canyon and the water falls from that into the deep gorges below.

This tiered fall is close to 170-190 m in height. You will have a steep climb down the hill across uneven steps to reach the waterfall. Monsoons are the best time to visit as the waterfall remains rather dry at other times of the year.

The best part is that when you view this waterfall from the opposite end, you end up getting a near 240 degree view of the canyon and the plummeting waterfall in the middle of it. There is dense greenery all around the falls.

The falls is located on the Shillong-Cherrapunji Road, Cherrapunji. People can get a taxi from Shillong. Nearest airport is Shillong Airport.

7. Rainbow Falls, Cherrapunji

This must definitely find a place in the bucket list of any nature lover. You can reach this place via a beautiful trek starting from the Double Decker Living Root Bridge that will take you about 90-100 minutes long. One can also spot small rainbows near the waterfalls at various different times owing to the abundant sunshine this little paradise receives.

The falls is located on Nohkalikai road, Cherrapunji. People can get a taxi from Shillong or Cherrapunji.

Nearest airport is Shillong Airport.

8. Laitmawsiang waterfalls

In the midst of a remote, quaint village in Sohra, Meghalaya lies Garden of Caves, or Ka Bri Synrang, a stunning place of full of waterfalls and ponds. It is situated 10km from Laitryngew region near the Laitmawsiang village of Sohra.

Laitmawsiang also known as the garden of caves doesn’t have the traditional waterfalls. Instead it has an interesting mix of waterfalls, rock formation and pools.
Although this waterfall is not difficult to reach unlike some other waterfalls in Meghalaya, very few people know about it. The place is tranquil with few people milling about it.
There are a few natural showering stations where you can have fun.
It is a 2.5 hectare property with seven major spots – Ka Synrang Syiem (the king’s cave), Sum Syiem Falls, Ki Stieh Maw (warrior rocks), U Mawdohnud (heart-shaped rock), U Mawkhyllung (baby rock), Arsdad Falls, and Riat Umlwai Falls.
The best time to visit, to specially enjoy the waterfalls in their full glory, is in the months of August and September because the area experiences maximum rainfall.
You can take a full-day taxi from Shillong to Laitmawsiang and Garden of Caves.