NohKaLikai Falls — Local services in Meghalaya

Tucked away amidst the verdant hills of Meghalaya, Nohkalikai Falls stands as a breathtaking testament to the raw power and mesmerizing beauty of Mother Nature. Cascading gracefully from a dizzying height of over 1,100 feet, this majestic waterfall captivates the senses and stirs the soul, inviting travelers to immerse themselves in its awe-inspiring grandeur.

A Spectacular Sight to Behold:

From the moment one lays eyes on Nohkalikai Falls, it is impossible not to be captivated by its sheer magnificence. The waterfall plunges dramatically from the edge of a towering cliff, sending torrents of crystal-clear water hurtling down into the emerald pool below. The sound of rushing water echoes through the air, filling the surrounding landscape with a symphony of nature's melodies.

During the monsoon season, when the rains are in full force, Nohkalikai Falls transforms into a thunderous spectacle of raw power and beauty. The water cascades over the cliff with unbridled ferocity, creating a mesmerizing curtain of mist and spray that shrouds the landscape in an ethereal veil.

Legend and Lore:

The beauty of Nohkalikai Falls is matched only by the haunting legend that surrounds it—a tale of love, loss, and redemption that has been passed down through the generations. According to local folklore, the waterfall is named after a tragic figure named Likai, who was driven to despair after the untimely death of her infant daughter. Overwhelmed by grief, Likai threw herself into the depths of the waterfall, giving rise to its name, which translates to "Leap of Likai."

Though the legend may be steeped in sorrow, it serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring connection between humans and the natural world, and the profound impact that both joy and sorrow can have on the human spirit.

A Photographer's Paradise:

For photographers and nature enthusiasts alike, Nohkalikai Falls offers endless opportunities for capturing the perfect shot. Whether viewed from a distance, where the waterfall appears as a delicate ribbon of water against the backdrop of the lush green landscape, or up close, where the sheer force of the cascading water can be felt and heard, every angle offers a unique perspective on this natural wonder.

The interplay of light and shadow, combined with the ever-changing moods of the waterfall, creates a dynamic and captivating subject that begs to be immortalized through the lens of a camera. From the soft, golden hues of sunrise to the dramatic, silvery light of dusk, Nohkalikai Falls takes on a different character with each passing moment, offering photographers the opportunity to capture its essence in all its splendor.

A Journey into the Heart of Meghalaya:

Visiting Nohkalikai Falls is more than just a sightseeing excursion—it is a journey into the heart and soul of Meghalaya, a land of untamed beauty and timeless wonders. As travelers make their way to the waterfall, they are treated to panoramic views of rolling hills, lush forests, and cascading streams, each more breathtaking than the last.

Along the way, they may encounter colorful birds and butterflies flitting through the trees, or glimpse the elusive wildlife that calls this region home. Every step of the journey is a reminder of the rich biodiversity and natural splendor that defines Meghalaya, and of the profound sense of awe and wonder that accompanies a close encounter with Nohkalikai Falls.

Nohkalikai Falls is a true masterpiece of nature—a testament to the power and beauty of the natural world, and a source of inspiration and wonder for all who have the privilege of experiencing it. Whether marveling at its majestic beauty, pondering the legend that surrounds it, or capturing its essence through the lens of a camera, visitors cannot help but be moved by the sheer grandeur of...

Nohkalikai Falls, located about 7.5 km from Cherrapunji‎ (Sohra) in East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya, is the most dramatic and tallest plunge waterfall in India. You should and must add Nohkalikai waterfalls to your Meghalaya itinerary.

Cherrapunji, (once upon a time) one of the wettest places on Earth, is insanely famous for its living root bridges in the village of Nongriat (they have three of them), Double Decker Living Root Bridge (Jingkieng Nongriat) being the most impressive and most visited. And, more often than not, they steal the limelight from Nohkalikai Falls.

With a drop of about 340 m, Nohkalikai is counted among the highest waterfalls in the world.

The sight of falls plunging over red-rock cliffs enveloped with a lush forest into the clear turquoise pool makes its visitor’s jaw drop. Dangerously beautiful! This is what I call nature at its best!

The pool at the base of falls dramatically changes colors from blue to green to aqua with time and season.

The name of the falls has a heart breaking story behind it. Legend has it that once there lived a woman by the name of Ka Likai, who was married to a porter and had a little baby daughter. The happy family was abruptly disrupted when her husband died in an accident while carrying heavy iron on his head. Ka Likai was forced to remarry because of the social stigma of the time and the fact that her daughter needed a father. She also got a job as a porter to earn her own bread. But the trouble began when the new husband became jealous of Ka Likai’s love for her daughter and felt threatened. So one day when Ka Likai was at work, he killed the daughter and prepared a meal out of her flesh.

After coming home from work Ka Likai was naturally hungry and seeing the meal prepared by her husband she ate it without a second thought. It was when she went to have her usual betel leaves afterwards that she realized her mistake. She found fingers of her daughter in the betel leaf case. When the realization dawned on her she went mad and started running till she jumped over the edge of the cliff into the plunge waterfalls and ended her life. The word ‘noh’ in local language means jump. So the meaning of the name of the falls is the place from where Ka...

Nohkalikai Falls ought to be talked about in more revered fashion when it comes to travel in India. Yet it hardly features in conversation owing to the relatively less trodden nature of the North East despite more and more people venturing it these days. It is nothing short of a wonder in an Indian context at the very least and the view it is a part of should stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world!

Located close to Cherrapunji, Nohkalikai gets its name from a legend about a local woman who once jumped to her death here. This sort of casual association with death isn't uncommon in India's hilly parts with suicide points (often named thus) being a common feature. Today though one's mind if farthest from such notions when one catches a glimpse of this stunning place. Water drops to nearly 340 metres in one single plummet and this is the highest in India. For comparison, Angel Falls in Venezuela has a plunge of 800-odd metres.

You will be really lucky if you can have a view of the falls under the circumstances in which we did. We got to the place when a thick blanket of fog had descended upon Terra firma and visibility was barely 4-5 metres. So all we saw was a sheet of white. We lingered on and while we did, there were others who left in frustration and boy were we rewarded!

The first lifting of the fog revealed what has to be among the most breathtaking sights I've seen. In fact, my wife who had been facing me turned around purely on the basis of the expression I wore: my jaw had literally dropped and I stood agape at the view before me. Firstly, this is an incredible panoramic view. That it includes such a waterfall is an embellishment, not the sole reason to come here.

Tracing path of the river making its way after the drop through the gorge is a spectacle hard to imagine anywhere else in India including the Himalayas. The vista here is straight out of any number of opening helicopter shots from a Hollywood adventure film! Lush jungles, deep gorges, towering mountains and a magnificent waterfall to top it all!

PS: There are shops with packaged foods etc so this is a place with amenities alright. Of greater interest though were women selling spices like cardamom, ground...