Descend into the Caves of Meghalaya
Known as the ‘Abode of the Clouds’, Meghalaya could just as easily be called the ‘Abode of Caves’. This northeastern state is home to one of the most extensive and complex cave systems in the world, with over 1,500 identified so far, many of which are
still unexplored. Caving, or speleology, here isn't just a walk in a dark tunnel; it’s an expedition into a subterranean kingdom sculpted by water over millions of years. Imagine squeezing through tight passages that open into vast, cathedral-like chambers. Your headlamp beam cuts through absolute darkness to reveal glittering stalactites and stalagmites, ancient river fossils embedded in the walls, and strange, pale creatures adapted to a life without light. The Jaintia, Khasi, and Garo Hills are the epicentres of this activity. Caves like Krem Liat Prah, one of the longest in the Indian subcontinent, offer multi-day expeditions for seasoned cavers, while more accessible systems like Mawsmai Cave provide a thrilling taste for beginners. It’s a physical and mental challenge that rewards you with a profound sense of discovery, taking you to places few have ever seen.
Plunge into the Waters of the Andamans
The surface of the ocean tells only half the story. To truly understand the magic of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, you have to go under. The archipelago is a world-renowned destination for scuba diving, offering a glimpse into one of the planet’s most vibrant ecosystems. The moment you dip below the waves, the world transforms. Sound dulls, gravity loosens its grip, and you are surrounded by an explosion of colour and life.
Islands like Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) are gateways to this underwater paradise. Beginners can take a ‘Discover Scuba Dive’ with a dedicated instructor, experiencing the weightless wonder of breathing underwater while exploring shallow reefs. For certified divers, the options are limitless: drift along walls of coral, explore sunken boats, and swim alongside majestic manta rays and gentle sea turtles. Sites like Johnny’s Gorge and Dixon’s Pinnacle are legendary for their rich biodiversity, where schools of barracuda, snappers, and unicornfish swirl in a mesmerising dance. It’s more than a sport; it’s a form of meditation, a chance to connect with a world that operates on a completely different rhythm.
Explore the Sunken History of Shettihalli
Not all that lies beneath the surface is natural. Some of it is history, submerged and preserved in time. The Shettihalli Rosary Church in Karnataka offers a different kind of underwater adventure—one steeped in Gothic architecture and haunting beauty. Built by French missionaries in the 1860s on the banks of the Hemavathi River, this magnificent structure was abandoned when the government constructed the Gorur Dam in 1960.
Today, the church lives a dual life. During the peak of summer, when the reservoir’s water level recedes, you can walk among its skeletal arches and crumbling walls, a ghost of its former glory standing silently in the riverbed. But when the monsoon arrives, the Hemavathi swells and slowly swallows the church, leaving only its spire peeking above the water. For the truly adventurous, this is the time to visit. Paddling a small coracle or kayak out to the partially submerged structure offers an eerie and unforgettable experience. You are floating through the nave of a drowned chapel, witnessing a powerful intersection of human history and the relentless cycle of nature. It’s a poignant reminder that some of the most compelling stories are the ones hidden just out of sight.
