Shillong Autumn Festival- A Dream Holiday in Northeast

‘The Abode of Clouds’, Meghalaya is sheer natural beauty. Carpeted with lush greenery, the mountain peaks form some of the most beautiful panoramas you will ever see. Meandering streams and rivulets are like silver necklaces adorning these mountains. The surroundings are clean and the fresh air is rejuvenating. A perfect holiday spot to explore with the family, read on to know what to expect on your trip to Meghalaya.

 

To be tentatively held in October, the three day long, Shillong Autumn Festival will turn Meghalaya into a wonderland of fun, frolic and feasting. An endeavour of the Ministry of Tourism, Meghalaya, the Autumn Festival was first organised in 2005 and its tagline “Tourism Naturally” has continued to intrigue and impress thousands of tourists from around the globe. The festival aims at raising awareness of relevant causes like environment conservation, empowerment of local handicrafts and eco-tourism, while setting up an array of activities to bring out the child in you and take you back to the stories of Heidi, Tom Sawyer and Alice in Wonderland!

 

The festival usually kick starts with a lively carnival procession by school and college students. Portraying different stories and aspects of their life, students put up an excellent show and the winners are rewarded with cash prizes. Various other events like the kite-flying competition are designed as fun-filled activities that one can enjoy alone or with family.

If you haven’t cycled in the beautiful Khasi Valleys, enroll yourself at the cycling competition and soak in the beauty while paddling down the streets. Take your beloved on a boat ride at the exquisite Umiam Lake and spend a romantic evening in the company of soft breeze and the blushing sun setting down the horizon. As the night descends, the spectacular lake shall transform into the venue for the dazzling Light and Sound show.  Satiate your taste buds with the rich spread of local and international cuisine at the Food Festival by Lake Umiam.

 

Shillong has a number of comfortable hotels but staying indoors isn’t what this holiday is about. Continue your idyllic retreat with a picnic in the hills. Participate in fishing competitions and as evening comes, relish delicacies of the region while cheering and humming during musical events, organised especially during the festival. Did you know that the festival holds the Guinness World Record of showcasing the largest collection of drums in the world? Another attraction of the festival is fashion shows where the indigenous textile and designs are showcased to promote the industry.

This October, head to Shillong and be a part of the festivities at the Shillong Autumn Festival.  Book your hotel, flight and holiday package only with MakeMyTrip.