Dainthlen Falls — Attraction in Meghalaya

Dainthlen is one of the most powerful sights you will come across, a gushing waterfall that cuts through the hard rocks and the high plateau of Sohra before it cascades down into lush forests. It is also a culturally significant place for the Khasi tribe. During the drier seasons, you will be able to negotiate the hard, rocky pot-holed river bed leading to the falls. According to local folktales, this spot is where a great battle was fought. The Thlen was a giant serpent, an embodiment of evil who was finally vanquished by the local residents of an ancient village that is now Sohra. The thundering sound of the Dainthlen Falls, the open landscape, the surrounding hillocks, and the capricious winds that constantly blow here provide an apt setting for such a grand legend. The Dainthlen Falls is a straight drop of around 80 metres. The viewpoint is on either side of the falls so you can see its natural splendour from up close behind the safety of a railing. You will also enjoy exploring the terrain around Dainthlen on foot. From wandering cows to rare birds, there are many surprises in store as you find your way along the gentle grassy rises and dips, punctuated by little hills and streams. Getting to Dainthlen Falls and Nearby Attractions – If you are travelling from Shillong, Dainthlen Falls requires a short detour just before you enter the town of Sohra (Cherrapunjee). On the way, there are many scenic places where you can stop and soak in the sights. Resorts and picnic areas are also available in the surrounding area. Wei Saw Dong Falls provides another captivating sight, located downstream of Dainthlen Falls. The waterfall and the surrounding area got the name Dainthlen, which translates to where Thlen was cut. That’s the legend behind the Dainthlen Falls, one of the most stunning waterfalls in Cherrapunji, and one of the most popular too. In some versions of the story, the serpent was a shapeshifter. Dainthlen Falls is culturally and traditionally important to the Khasi community. In present times, in the drier months, people often come to this rocky riverbed for picnics and sightseeing. Cascading down from a height of about 90 m, Dainthlen Falls is among the famous waterfalls in Cherrapunji which attracts large number of tourists...

If Meghalaya were a rock band, the Dainthlen Falls would be the lead guitarist – powerful, wild, and with a fanbase that includes both tourists and thunder gods. Located a few kilometers from Sohra (Cherrapunjee), this waterfall isn’t your usual “stand, pose, click” kind of spot. It’s a storybook wrapped in mist and myth, cascading down in unapologetic glory.

Why It Rocks (Pun Intended): Unlike its more “vertically inclined” cousins, Dainthlen isn’t about the plunge — it’s about the roar. It sprawls out in a wide dramatic spread over ancient rock formations like nature just dropped the mic. The water flows over these fascinating snake-like grooves that make you wonder — was this made by erosion or a slightly tipsy divine sculptor?

But here’s the spicy twist: legend has it that a giant evil python (named Thlen) once terrorized the region until it was slain right near these falls by local heroes. The “Thlen-slaying spot” is said to be the very rocks you now selfie upon. So yeah, you're basically walking on mythological Netflix.

Pro Tips for the Insta-Hungry: Drone shots? Goldmine. The panoramic view is pure desktop-wallpaper material. Visit during the monsoon or post-monsoon (June to September) for full-volume water drama. Be careful on the rocks — they’re slipperier than political promises before elections.

Travel Tidbits: No entry fee (your wallet does a happy jig). No railings either (your mom’s blood pressure spikes). It’s a lovely picnic spot, but do pack your own snacks and water — unless you're into foraging wild berries and regret.

Fun Fact: Local Khasi lore still warns against the revival of Thlen through dark rituals. Yep, not your average touristy folklore. Hogwarts meets folklore in the hills.

Wrap-Up: Tha Dainthlen Falls is Meghalaya’s answer to a Viking saga — raw, dramatic, and backed by ancient tales that still echo through the cliffs. It’s the perfect combo of myth, mist, and muscle. Go there not just to see a waterfall, but to feel a story roar...

Meghalaya has n number of waterfalls. It is one of them. It is actually situated near the wei sadong waterfalls. Although these two are different in beauty. Wei sadong is a multi step waterfall with crystal clear blue/green water. The river is going though a huge cave and created this fall. You will be amazed with the structure of wei sadong fall. The walls of this fall have n number of potholes. Dainthlen falls is also good but here you will find the river also. The river has created huge number of potholes in her path. The river bed is made up with calcium and potholes are created by the river flow.....The landscape where this falls is situated is very beautiful. We captured lot of images. Actually in Meghalaya you will find different shade of beauty in different season. In rainy season you will find mist, clouds and obviously too much rain. In dry weather you will find blue sky, some patches of clouds are moving around and clear sky. When we went Meghalaya the road from cherapunji to Wei Sadong was not good in condition. Some part of this road was truly off road. Actually we find very less people at wei sadong and dainthlen. And this is also true for Double Decker living root bridge and raibow falls. So, my suggestion is if you are planning to go upto wei sadong please hire cars with good condition. We hired ertiga and we...