Meghalaya is a state of India. The people of the state depend on rivers and rivulets as their source of irrigation, drinking water and also as transport mediums. Khasi and Jaintia tribes who inhabit this region have an interesting folk tale to relate to the origin of the river 'Dooars'. It is believed that once upon a time there was a very strong demon called U Blei Trai Kynjoh. His kingdom spread over the entire area now known as Khasi and Jaintia hills. He had two sons: one elder son Bhoi Goramari and the younger son Ka Sorkarin. When grown up both wanted to establish their own kingdoms, they could not share power with their father. They went away to far off places leaving their blind father alone in his kingdom.
Bhoi Goramari asked his son Duk-Langjok, who was blessed by the goddess Mariang, to build a new kingdom for him. He also requested his son not to look back while returning home lest he should be turned into stone forever. But Duk-langjok could not resist looking back while returning home and got caught in an accident which later made him leprous. Eventually, that land became famous as Shillong or 'the abode of clouds'. Ka Sorkarin made a pact with the beautiful queen Nongkwiloh and established another kingdom at Nongsawlia known today as Nongstoin.
The 'Dooars' as it is known today is supposed to represent the lines of head and heart of U Blei Trai Kynjoh. These three places have been identified as the tri-junction from where the river Turag originates, kynjoh's head flows down at Nongsawlia, his heart is at Nongstoin. The river then flows to the west past Ganol, Phulbari, Badarpur and Lawachara, joins the mighty Brahmaputra at Diyungbra. However, not all folklore that explains the origins of rivers are as popular but explain it in a different way.
The Jaintia Tribes believes that the river Jadukata had its origin from a pond situated near Rangthymba. Gradually as the water flowed it cut its way through the rocks and formed falls at Bhoigar (Nongkhlaw). The deep gorge further widened as it moved past Nongkyndai, Mynso and eventually flowed into Bangladesh.
The origin of the river Myngot is said to be from a spring at Ningthieng, between Jowai and Nongkseh about 30 km southwest of Shillong. The confluence with the Umiam or Barapani lake was once considered holy and followers and followers of the river would come here to offer sacrifices. Milfoil grew in the confluence of Myngot and Umiam which was used as a medicine by these people.
Remnants of temples and terracotta figurines depicting human and animal forms have been found along the river course between Nongstoin and Mawsynram, suggesting that they were used in worship.
Till the 19th century, most of the rivers were navigable by boats and rafts that could carry a load of nearly 20 metric tons per trip. Now, motorized boats ply all along the main rivers with speedboats operating in certain places. There is a network of 29 reservoirs and an equal number of perennial springs in these hills.
Many of the rivers have been dammed at various points to create artificial lakes for hydroelectric power generation. Their water is then diverted into a system of pipes that carry it down the slope to a power station before allowing it to flow back again into the River's channel downstream from where they were taken. A number of these systems are in operation today.
The rivers of Meghalaya originate from undivided India and become distributaries just before they empty into Bangladesh. These rivers are characterized by meandering courses, braiding and changing their courses during floods.
There are many rivers flowing in Meghalaya. All the rivers, which flow through this State, originate from India's capital city - Delhi. The main tributaries of Rivers in Meghalaya are Jadukata River, Nambul River, Gumti River , Dharla River, Kopili River .
These rivers merge with one another and finally fall into Bangladesh. Therefore, these are not only considered as the lifeline of these hill people but also an important factor for Meghalaya to be connected with the Indian mainland after dividing it from Assam during the year 1972. Every stream has a tale to talk about its origin, location and other features essential for the survival of time-tested existence of human beings. Wherever the tributaries meet, waterfalls are formed. The main rivers in Meghalaya are Garo River, Khri bynta River, Lytein River, Dain Thlen River, Jiri River, Balui River.
Garos believe that this river was made by the 'Adi-San' (Human-being) named "Mare Barengba" (meaning chief of the forest), who cut through Satpura ki Khadi (mountain range). This is why it is also called 'Khyndai'. As it flows down from hills, many streams join with "Ngengmit" stream which is not clearly visible but only felt when one wades across it. From there, it turns to its left side and is called "Miri Nadi", which means 'Mirror River', because the river reflects the surrounding forest.
The Khasi Tribe believe that Khri Byn Ton or Khri bynta River was made by their God when he dipped his arrow in the sea before drying it up. Its flow was much stronger than other rivers in Meghalaya. At present, this river flows in between Bangladesh and India after dividing these two countries through a narrow strip of land known as 'Chicken's Neck'. This area is very much feared by many due to frequent firing across this border region.
Khri Bynta has five major tributaries; they are - "Umngot River", "Daring River", "Mawpaikawng Stream" and "Langkolien River". Its total length from the origin of the river is about 50 Km. The narrowest place in Meghalaya is a portion of this river known as 'Chicken's Neck' where it is only 30 meters wide, lying above the surface of the land acting as a bridge between Bangladesh and India.
Khri Bynta passes through many important hills such as Nongkhlaw, Zopui Sawmpung Patkai, Riang Tlang Haih, Somra Khasi Hills and finally, falls into Bangladesh at Umsning under the Daphabhum area.
The Khasi Tribe believe that it was made by their God "Pyrtuh-Kynjoh" who dipped his arrow into the sea before drying it up. Its flow was much stronger than other rivers in Meghalaya. At present, this river flows between Bangladesh and India after dividing these two countries through a narrow strip of land known as 'Sajek'. The smallest place in Meghalaya is a portion of this river known as 'Chicken's Neck' where it is only 30 meters wide, lying above the surface of the land acting as a bridge between Bangladesh and India.
Shnongpdeng or Jadukata River originates from Pnar or Nartiang Hills that lies between Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills at an elevation of about 1,500 m above sea level. Its total length is around 100 km. It flows through Nartiang and Ranikor areas in South West Jaintia Hills District which are also known as 'Jalah' (Waterfall).
This river is the only channel for all the underground streams to rise in Jaintia Hills District. It merges with another stream named 'Kynrem River' at its lower course which comes from Mawhati in West Garo Hills District. The confluence of these two rivers falls into Bangladesh through Sabroom under South Tripura District.
The Nongkhlaw Kynjoh River originates from Rangmaw, a hill adjacent to Supa Dam which flows out forming a waterfall towards Umngot River near Umsning where it joins with Khri bynta that creates another Waterfall nearby.
The Daring or "Nadih" River spreads across between Dawki - Jowai road, where it merges with Umngot River.
The Jiri River is recognized as 'Nam Tu' by the Bhoi tribe which means 'Giver of Life'. It originates in Garo Hills at an elevation of about 1,500 m above sea level. Its total length is around 100 km. After getting divided into two channels named "Umlang" and "Kynrem", it joins with another stream called "Langkolien" near Nartiang under South West Jaintia Hills District to flow further downstream.
This river passes through many important hills such as Mawlong Marak, Rait Marak, Matgrik, Saitbah-Kyndongri, Warit-Sohiong, Sohryngkham-Sohiong, Rangasit and finally falls into Bangladesh under 'Jadukata' area.
Pnar or Nartiang is a hill station situated between Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills at an elevation of about 1,500 m above sea level. It was once known as the summer capital of Jaintia Hill by the rulers of that place. The place has been named after a stream called "Nartiang" which means 'Seven Streams'. This name led to a number of streams in this region.
The water from these seven streams flows down towards Dawki town where it merges with another stream called 'Kynrem River' which comes from Mawhati in West Garo Hills District. This river falls into Jiri River on which another stream called "Langkholien" flows from the North East of Nartiang. It is said that its name was derived from a mason's dam constructed at a place near Umlang but it collapsed after heavy rainfall and this stream flowed down to join with the Kynrem River under the Nartiang area.
The Langkolien or 'Kling' rises from beneath Sohiong village, situated 32 km off Shillong town. A number of people believe that this river derives its name from the word 'Kling'. But there are some who believe that the word 'Lang', meaning broken, was added to it as a result of its tortuous course through the hills. Before merging with the 'Kynrem' river under the Nartiang area, Langkolien flows for about 10 km from where Dhaleswari River originates and falls into Bangladesh.
An exclusive Waterfall called Umngot Hydro Electric Project is located near Umsning in South Jaintia Hills District that comes from Dawki - Jowai road. In 1992, another hydroelectric project has been inaugurated which means "Mawpa".
The Mawpa or Aie River rises from beneath Warit Sohiong village situated 32 km off Shillong town. This river is not only used as a source of water but also for fishing. This river comes from Pandu and goes through Mawpat, Nongstoin, Kumlieng and finally merges with Umngot River near Umsning where it creates another Waterfall.
It originates as 'Namti' at an elevation of about 1,000 m above sea level in Ri Bhoi District and flows down to fall into Bangladesh under the name 'Konya'. It is believed that this river was so named because of its tortuous course.
The Myntdu flows through the once thickly forested areas on both sides of the National Highway leading to Guwahati from Shillong town. The exact location of the source of this river is not known but it comes out from a place called Mawphlang which is one of the popular destinations for tourists.
The Myntdu River originates as 'Namti' near Sanpat in Ri Bhoi District and flows down to meet Barapani or Barapini River at Mawthadraishan before falling into Bangladesh under the name 'Konya'. The river runs for about 65 km from where the Kynrem River comes from Mawhati in West Garo Hills District. It will flow westwards through Nartiang, Pnarsah and then finally merges with Umngot River near Umsning where it creates another Waterfall.
This river is also known as Nongmaiching which means "River coming out from a deep Lake". The source of this river is located near Mawshynrut village in South Garo Hills District. It flows through Saitbah-Kyndongri, Warit-Sohiong and finally falls into Bangladesh under 'Jadukata' area.
The Dhansiri River originates from the hills of Meghalaya and Assam and then flows through Numaligarh to join with Barak River in Cachar district before flowing into Karimganj district and falling into Bangladesh under 'Bharaluichari' area.
This river merges with Umiam or Barapani River which flows via Dawki town, Jowai town and Mawsynram (Mawsmai) before falling into Bangladesh under 'Dawki' area. The river flows for about 50 km from where it originates at Ganol, a place near Tengapani in West Garo Hills District.
This river merges with the Umngot River near Umsning where it creates another Waterfall. It originates as Namti at an elevation of about 1,000 m above sea level in Ri Bhoi District and flows down to fall into Bangladesh under the name 'Konya'.
It originates as Namti near Sanpat in Ri Bhoi District and flows down to meet Barapani or Barapini River at Mawthadraishan before falling Bangladesh under the name 'Konya'. The river runs for about 65 km from where the Kynrem River comes from Mawhati in West Garo Hills District. It will flow westwards through Nartiang, Pnarsah and then finally merges with Umngot River near Umsning where it creates another Waterfall.
This river originates as Kameng at an elevation of about 2,000 m above sea level near Telo village in the East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh state. It flows down to fall into Bangladesh under the name 'Sangkosh' which means "Golden Mouth". And this is one of the several tributaries that drain into the Brahmaputra River after flowing down a distance of about 30 km.
Tawe is a principal tributary of the Umngot River, having its origin from the Shillong plateau between the villages Mawthadraishan and Wari-Sohiong. It flows down to fall into Bangladesh in Khagrachari District under the name 'Khowai'.
This river rises from beneath Dawki village situated on the western part of Meghalaya and flows down towards Bangladesh. Here, this merges with Dauki/Garo River which later drains into Garo hills and crosses Lumshnong and finally enters Bangladesh at Dudhnoi under Borokiri district. This river debouches into Kumarikata before falling into Bangladesh under 'Borokiri' area. Rangit is one of the major tributaries of the Kumar.
The Umngot (or Ummiat) is undoubtedly one of the major rivers in Meghalaya which forms the border between Bangladesh and India for about 33 km near Dawki town on its course to Bangladesh where it falls into 'Teknaf' area. It enters Meghalaya at Mahendraganj (locally known as Maingdragang) village under the South Garo Hills district and flows down toward the west to create another Waterfall before entering Bangladesh. This river flows through extensive areas here, during monsoon season leaving behind pools of water throughout this place. There are many more interesting facts behind rivers in Meghalaya.
The Umngot (Dawki) river is the largest and most important tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra. The main attraction here is the Dawki bridge which is an excellent place to see the confluence of this river with Bangladesh. It is one of the most visited tourist places in Meghalaya which is situated on the border between India and Bangladesh. The Bangladesh side of this river is called 'Teknaf'.
This river merges with the Umngot River near Umsning where it creates another Waterfall. This place also has a Jaintia tribal museum at Yatawliang, which exhibits different artefacts of the Jaintia people. It is approx 16 km from Shillong and about 5 km from Ranikor town via Bawkhar.
Simsang River at Dawki is perfect if you are planning to enjoy the beauty of nature.
The famous Myntdu River Waterfalls comes alive during the monsoons between June - September.
The Digaru River is another place where you can enjoy boating as well as other activities like picnicking and exploring nature.
Umiam lies about 17 kilometres from Shillong and has been developed into an ideal spot for adventure sports, eco-tourism and family picnic spots by Meghalaya Tourism. The lake is framed by beautiful hills from where it derives its name from meaning a 'star' in Khasi, a local language of the state.
During the months of the monsoon, you can enjoy the full force of waterfalls that cascade down through these rivers. The blasts of water during rains make their journey even more turbulent making your boat ride an unforgettable experience.
It is best to avoid visiting rivers in Meghalaya during the summer season since it becomes a little dry and hot. The scorching heat can make your boat ride even more tiresome during this time of the year. So, it is best to avoid coming here during summers and enjoy boating along with exploring nature at other times of the year that are ideal for such adventures.