Nohkalikai waterfalls Top — Attraction in Meghalaya

Nohkalikai Falls, located near Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, is one of India's tallest and most breathtaking waterfalls, with a staggering drop of 340 meters. The waterfall is named after a tragic local legend of a woman named Likai, adding a poignant cultural touch to its natural grandeur. Fed by rainwater, Nohkalikai is most impressive during the monsoon season, when it transforms into a powerful torrent cascading into a deep, emerald-green plunge pool. The surrounding landscape is characterized by lush greenery and rugged cliffs, providing a stunning backdrop for photography and sightseeing. A viewpoint near the falls offers panoramic views, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the dramatic drop and the serene pool below. The area's misty atmosphere and the roaring sound of the falls create a magical and immersive experience. Nohkalikai Falls is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and anyone seeking to witness one of Meghalaya's most iconic natural wonders. Nohkalikai Falls, located near Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, is one of India's tallest and most breathtaking waterfalls, with a staggering drop of 340 meters. The waterfall is named after a tragic local legend of a woman named Likai, adding a poignant cultural touch to its natural grandeur. Fed by rainwater, Nohkalikai is most impressive during the monsoon season, when it transforms into a powerful torrent cascading into a deep, emerald-green plunge pool. The surrounding landscape is characterized by lush greenery and rugged cliffs, providing a stunning backdrop for photography and sightseeing. A viewpoint near the falls offers panoramic views, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the dramatic drop and the serene pool below. The area's misty atmosphere and the roaring sound of the falls create a magical and immersive experience. Nohkalikai Falls is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and anyone seeking to witness one of Meghalaya's most iconic natural wonders. Some shops are there. Anyone can have food and snacks. Local produce is available for sale. Local turmeric powder, black pepper, cardamom, honey, items made from bamboo are available for sale. A few homestays are also available around and near the falls. Though it is a remote place, the road conditions are good. Stunning view of hills attract people. **The name of the falls in the Khasi language meaning "Jump of Ka Likai" is linked to a tragic story of a local woman "Likai" who jumped off the cliff next to the falls. "Ka" is specifically used to denote a female person in the Khasi language. So, "Ka Likai" means a lady named as Likai. According to the story, a woman named Likai resided in a village named Rangjyrteh, upstream of the falls. Her husband was engaged in as a porter of goods. When her husband died on one of his trips to Sylhet, she was left with her two year old girl with no means of income. So she had to become a porter herself. Her work required herself 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 had to marry for the second time, couldn’t pay attention to her second husband. Her attention was mainly focused on her daughter. 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 except for a meal that had been prepared. She intended to go to have a look for her daughter but she ate the meat as she was hungry and tired from work.

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 realised what had happened in her absence and gone mad in anger and grief and started running as she swung a hatchet in her hand. She ran off the edge of the plateau and jumped into the waterfall. The place where she jumped from, was named as Nohkalikai Falls after her.

Visit to the place: During monsoon the fall is viewed in full bloom. But, as it may rain incessantly during that...

NohKaLikai. The Queen of Waterfalls. The falls is located just 7 km from the town of Cherrapunjee (Sohra). NohKaLikai is a magnificent waterfall in Meghalaya and India's tallest plunge waterfall. The water gushes from a height of approximately 340 meters (1115 ft) down a steep cliff.

Some shops are there. Anyone can have food and snacks. Local produce is available for sale. Local turmeric powder, black pepper, cardamom, honey, items made from bamboo are available for sale. A few homestays are also available around and near the falls. Though it is a remote place, the road conditions are good. Stunning view of hills attract people. **The name of the falls in the Khasi language meaning "Jump of Ka Likai" is linked to a tragic story of a local woman "Likai" who jumped off the cliff next to the falls. "Ka" is specifically used to denote a female person in the Khasi language. So, "Ka Likai" means a lady named as Likai. According to the story, a woman named Likai resided in a village named Rangjyrteh, upstream of the falls. Her husband was engaged in as a porter of goods. When her husband died on one of his trips to Sylhet, she was left with her two year old girl with no means of income. So she had to become a porter herself. Her work required herself 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 had to marry for the second time, couldn’t pay attention to her second husband. Her attention was mainly focused on her daughter. 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 except for a meal that had been prepared. She intended to go to have a look for her daughter but she ate the meat as she was hungry and tired from work.

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 realised what had happened in her absence and gone mad in anger and grief and started running as she swung a hatchet in her hand. She ran off the edge of the plateau and jumped into the waterfall. The place where she jumped from, was named as Nohkalikai Falls after her.

Visit to the place: During monsoon the fall is viewed in full bloom. But, as it may rain incessantly during that time you may not be lucky enough to view the mighty falls. I had been there on 29th and 30th May this year and I had to go twice and wait there inside a small shop to improve the weather conditions. But, I should say, it was really beautiful to have a view of the gushing water from the fall surrounded by tall green trees. I have enclosed some photos and videos. When I saw the falls,I had a peculiar feeling for that tragic end of KaLikai. Is she there? She might be crying for her baby! Heart-wrenching feeling should dampen one's spirit. Her tears coming out profusely and making loud sound! The Khasi driver who drove me from Shillong to Cherrapunji and back, told me about a lady from Bengaluru. She came to view the falls after reading about the incident of KaLikai. She stayed at Cherrapunji for three days during severe weather conditions and only after viewing the falls she went back. NohKaLikai falls is a must-have during travel to Meghalaya. Thanks for...

A fantastic trek! I've seen crystal clear natural pools like this in lots of other countries, but the amazing, beautiful, and weird rock formations still make this one special. And there are good places to swim in the beautiful water too (not right at the edge of the falls - see below).

The trail starts from a hundred meters or so outside the gate of the waterfall viewpoint. I was told that I still needed to buy a 50rs entry ticket for the trek (separate from the viewpoint ticket), though no one checked my ticket at the trailhead. It's only for people who are in reasonably good physical shape. The trail has three sections - an easy stroll along a small road along the top of the plateau, a steep and rigorous trail down a forested slope (and back up again later), and then a barely-marked route along the riverbed to the top of the falls. On that last section there are white arrows painted in some places to show you the recommended way, but I sometimes couldn't find them, and had to find my own way a couple times (very carefully - there are plenty of places to fall to your death, including lots of holes in the rock that are much, much deeper than you would expect). From the bottom of the forested slope there are also red arrows pointing the way upstream to another mini-waterfall.

The best place to swim is in a huge, swimming-pool sized pool of clear water just before you start to see the edge of the waterfall (it should be safe as long as the water isn't high enough to be rushing out from the downstream end, though you do need good swimming skills, as it's quite deep...