Far from the madding crowd, in the rain-soaked heart of Meghalaya, lies ancient cliffs which come alive with waterfalls during the peak monsoons. Here, on these cliffs near Cherrapunji, water does not merely fall, it marks its presence, its arrival, very slowly but extremely gracefully. It looks as if nature is answering an age-old call by creating the stunning, almost unimaginable, ‘Seven Sisters Waterfall’! On the peak monsoon of June of 2024, I was standing right in front of this mystical waterfall, and I felt blessed because in front of my eyes were all seven falls, flowing in all their glory! Like seven silver lines. This waterfall is a living legend created by time and rain.Legend of Seven SistersThese are not just your ordinary waterfalls. The waterfalls are surrounded in folklore and legend. As per local lore, the seven sisters were shy and would come to Earth only during times of abundance. When the monsoon arrived, the sisters would gather at the edge of the great limestone cliff and stand side by side in unity. They would pour their vessels downward in perfect harmony and this divine act, as per local elders, is the Seven Sisters Waterfall.
The legend also talks about the sisters’ sensitivity to human presence. If the land was disrespected or the rains were taken for granted, sisters would go back into the clouds. And maybe this is why all seven falls can be seen only during peak rains. It is probably Mother Nature’s way of telling that beauty and innocence should not be taken for granted. Nohsngithiang FallsThe waterfall, locally known as Nohsngithiang Falls, emerges from the tips of the Meghalaya Plateau. From far, this looks almost unreal, it is like seven silver lines flowing side by side. The best part, these seven falls do not compete with each other, but quietly flow side by side. They simply drop as if guided by the hands of nature, the invisible hand of god! When these falls come to life during the monsoons, Meghalaya transforms into an emerald land. Between June and September, all seven sisters come together. Once you are here, you’ll naturally go quiet. It was one of the first places where I wanted to be quiet and not speak a single word as my speech would disturb the sanctity of the place. It was among the few places where I had actually felt quietude. It was like the mountains here want to say something, as if they are watching me, guarding me in a beautiful way…
Unlike other touristy waterfalls, the Seven Sisters remain wild, unexplored, untouched and shrouded in mystery. I did not see any dramatic staircases here which would take me down, no platforms, nothing. It’s just you and raw Nature. The surrounding only deepens the spell. During my whole visit, rain never left us dry. The sound of the waterfall blends with thunder, creating an aura that can’t be described in a few words. When I was here, I was reminded of a powerful truth: how small we are in this Universe!
For me visiting the Seven Sisters Waterfall was not merely to tick off a bucket-list destination. For me, it was a lifetime experience where I witnessed sky and Earth in unison. The place doesn’t demand attention but quietly commands it. leaving travellers with damp clothes, hushed voices, and a lingering sense that they’ve seen something sacred.In Meghalaya, monsoon is not just a weather, it is a memory, myth, and a way of living! And nowhere is that truth more beautifully revealed than at the Seven Sisters Waterfall.Disclaimer: The above account is based on the author’s personal experience, and The Times of India does not endorse or verify these views.
