Photo Tour of Laitlum, Meghalaya

It was a beautiful December morning when I visited Laitlum grand canyon in Meghalaya. It took around 90 minutes in a cab from Shillong. Laitlum is located in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. The minute I alighted from the cab, I was mesmerized by the landscape in front of me. The curelean blue skies and the verdant greenery were bewitching my soul. I stood, mesmerized and speechless. The soothing wind pampered my hair and whispered softly in my ears to live the moment. 

It was the first time I ever visited a grand canyon. Laitlum means "end of hills" and this place offers the view of breathtaking azure mountains and steep winding stairways snaking their way down to the gorgeous valley. The sky was a beautiful canvas of fluffy cumulus clouds. 

Laitlum was not at all crowded. It is an ideal place for trekkers can explore the canyon by trekking from one end to another. It is extremely difficult to capture the raw beauty of Laitlum in camera. The place is nothing short of paradise. One needs to see the beauty through one's own eyes to believe that such a soothing place exists in North East India. 

As I kept looking at the azure mountains and the deep valley, I was overwhelmed with powerful emotions for the Creator who created this beautiful world. I could feel a sublime connection with Mother Nature. I could sense a deep harmony with every element of Nature...the mighty mountains, the modest valley, the jubilant sun, and the healing zephyr.

I felt blessed for the five senses that allow me to grasp the beauty of Nature. I felt immense love and gratitude as I kept gazing at the landscape. 

I thought about the villagers who stay in Laitlum. Such a peaceful existence they have! They are fostered by the raw beauty and spirit of Nature. William Wordsworth had rightly said in the poem Tintern Abbey: "Nature never did betray the heart that loved her."

In the cities, we destroy Nature carelessly and selfishly. And what's the end result? Depression, Stress. Anxiety.

Whereas the people who live in the mountains and hills are so happy, peaceful and content. They allow Nature to guide them at every step. The people of Meghalaya give high priority to cleanliness. The roads are extremely clean. The people are polite, patient and hardworking. The women of Meghalaya run their own business and are sometimes, assisted by men. At every tourist stop, I could see independent women busy with their work. It was a heartwarming thing to witness. 

I love adventure especially when I am traveling. So, I trekked till I reached the white rock-like structure from where the view was incredibly magical. 

I fell so much in love with the place that I felt like staying there forever. I felt that I am wrapped in the arms of Mother Nature, safe and secure. Wherever my eyes traveled, there was only beauty and serenity. 

Such places are perfect for soul searching. As I inhaled the beauty of the place, I contemplated the journey and purpose of my life. I felt so blessed that this experience of my life will find its way in so many of my poems and stories. After all, as William Wordsworth had said, "Poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings recollected in tranquility."

I was reminded of the theory of transcendentalists, a literary movement headed by Ralph Waldo Emerson. A human being must have three relationships in order to live better: relationship with one's own soul, relationship with Nature and relationship with the Super Soul/Divine Energy. How beautifully true! That's what I felt at that moment in Laitlum...perfectly at peace with my existence...in sync with my own soul, Nature, and Super Soul. 

Almost 2 hours passed in Laitlum and I must say that those 2 hours are one of the best hours of my life. Even now when I close my eyes, I can visualize the beautiful valley beckoning me. I had to travel to the next tourist spot, but I felt like staying for a few more minutes. My heart was not ready to leave the place. 

I sat on the grass and gazed at the mighty mountains and the modest valley. I have fallen so much in love with the place. I knew that no matter wherever I go or stay, this place will always stay with me. And a part of me will stay in this place.

Wordsworth had coined a beautiful term called "spots of time" to define a moment when time seems to stop, senses get heightened and life gets a deeper meaning. I am sure that I experienced one such moment in Laitlum.

I was rejuvenated with positive energy. Every cell of my body felt healthy and happy. What a joy it felt being alive at that moment!

Someone has truly said, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away." With a jubilant heart, I said goodbye to the beautiful grand canyon of Meghalaya and headed towards my next destination.

I hope you enjoyed the photo tour of Laitlum. In the next travel post, I am going to take you to another beautiful place of Meghalaya.

Have you been to Meghalaya?

Which is your favorite place in Meghalaya? Let me know in the comments below.