The historic town of Simsanggre, which is strategically located on the extensive plains of the Simsang River, was founded around Williamnagar, 244km from Shillong. This is a highly distant place mainly recognized for being bordered by mountains and plentiful in water and plants because of its richness of natural features.
William Nagar was named after Captain Williamson A. Sangma, the first Chief Minister of the State of Meghalaya, in the developed East Garo Hills area of Meghalaya. The Garos fiercely resisted the British invasion of the Garo Hills in 1837 for the last time which made Williamnagar of considerable cultural relevance.
Williamnagar is a significant historical, intellectual and political and social centre. Since the district headquarters is known as Williamnagar, substantial buildings are created here and the civil servants are accommodated here. As a planned city, the potential benefit of Meghalaya's former towns is that they don't have a more pleasing design and unique layout.
Williamnagar, no possible doubt, is the best location, to begin with exploring the highlights of the region.
Places To Visit
Naphak Lake
The pristine Naphak Lake is seen to be persistently haunted by ghosts once assigning to the monotheistic faith. Lake Naphak is carefully packed with a vast diversity of lush vegetation and noble animals, graciously overlooking the unexplainable generosity of native woodlands. The place has an exquisite charm and unmistakable splendour with the impressive surrounding environment, recognized as one of the largest tourist hotspots on the site. The water bodies here are so calm and also they are pleasant enough for the sore eyes to be adequately treated. The most intriguing part about this lake is that after a massive earthquake in 1897 this artificial lake was formed.
Naka Chikong
The immense rock with deep holes is gently placed around 120 miles away from Williamnagar, located in the leading centre of the Ildek river near the peaceful settlement of Badaka.
This great rock is mythologically declared to have swarmed with fish, and it is legitimately claimed that all of the fish will quickly be removed from the river when somebody unintentionally touches the enormous rock under whose hole the fishes sustain.
Siju Caves
Thirty-two visible miles from Tura, Siju is notable for its bat cave with outcroppings. It is the most lasting continuous cave in the Subcontinent of India and features some of the most principal waterways in the world.
In addition, there are wonderful calcareous sedimentary rocks, termed Princes. This specific location endures a recommended experience and one can confirm its location on the local banks of the Simsang river, with various familiar rooms along with uncharted passageways.
Simsang Festival
As quoted -
“December is an enduring and bewitching month.
The grey of cold teases
to explode into something worthwhile,
into a dream of a cold,
a starlight shower you can taste,
a cold that does not chill.”
It is a cultural festival that asks for the leading artists in the state in December. There is frequently fun events including the Carnival, the Talent Contest, the dancing challenge, the Wine Festival and the charming Miss Simsang Beauty Pageant.
The Rock Contest, nevertheless, is the main attraction of the festival. If you are in Williamnagar in December, do not miss this one.
Best Time To Visit
Williamnagar has delightful summers, it may be rather warm in sultry afternoons, but as the sun falls, the temperatures fall dramatically. During the reasonable chance to miraculously escape from the heat of the expanding cities, tourists regularly visit Williamnagar. Monsoon months enthusiastically receive significant precipitation, which is not so significant relative to the rest of Meghalaya. However, experienced travellers should studiously avoid the monsoon for a homeward journey to Williamnagar.
However, on the other hand, winters realistically are the most impressive season to typically visit Williamnagar and the glorious days of local tourism at that key point of time are the busiest. The elevated temperature is seldom too chilly and unforeseen rainfalls are uncommon, so one needs to take care of that and plan accordingly to enjoy the local attractions and the chief places in the region at the ideal time.
How To Reach
Williamnagar is a miniature town in the Eastern Garo Hills region of Meghalaya on the grassy plains beside the Simsang River. This uncontaminated and well-constructed township boasts the essence of north-eastern welcome, where holidaymakers are amicable and kind all year round.
Airport
The most local airport located near Williamnagar (118 km), is the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, Assam. Shillong Airport is accurately located around 232 km away and could also be utilized in the State. Guwahati Airport, however, is exceedingly easier to get from other India-wide towns and more often is chosen by tourists. The rest of the travel between Williamnagar and the airport must be satisfactorily accomplished by road, while cars and buses from the fortified gateway are conveniently accessible.
Train
Since the state of Meghalaya does not have any completed railway lines, Guwahati is the closest railway stop to Williamnagar. However, in Mendipathar, which traditionally operates passenger trains to and from Guwahati, the first and only railway station was built in the state. Travellers invariably coming by railway may either board a bus or cab from Guwahati Railway Station to Williamnagar straight. Or board the Guwahati passenger train to Mendipathar Railway Station and then cross the remaining train distance through the road path heading towards Williamnagar.
Road
The tourist typically has a comparative advantage when it comes to identifying the distinct region in their private car in that section of Meghalaya. There is not extremely strong bus communication between the rural cities of the area, and tourists can utilize the auto-rickshaws alone to travel about inside Williamnagar.
To wisely conclude, tourists will find plenty of places for dining, including tiny restaurants and food vendors selling traditional dishes, like many other towns in this section of Meghalaya. There are a handful of vegetarian choices to select from yet meat is the kind of food most emphasized here. Well, if you are a foodie and an inquisitive traveller, then have you started researching yet?
