The silent scream of Noh Ka Likai falls 

The Noh Ka Likai waterfall, located in Sohra (formerly known as Cherrapunji) in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, is one of the most stunning natural wonders in India. (Photo by Atiqur Rahman)

Located about a three-hour drive from the state capital, Shillong, it is a popular destination for both tourists and nature enthusiasts. Local cabs are readily available, either on a shared or individual booking. (Photo by Atiqur Rahman)

At 340 metres (1,115 feet), Noh Ka Likai is the highest plunge waterfall in India. Fed by rainwater collected atop a small plateau, the water cascades down into a plunge pool below, creating a dramatic and mesmerising sight. (Photo by Lumlung Kamei)

During the pre-monsoon season, the stream feeding the waterfall nearly dries up, leaving little water to flow. This is when the top of the plateau, where the falls begin, attracts adventurous hikers eager to explore its serene landscape. (Photo by Atiqur Rahman)

The trek to the top of the plateau, where the waterfall originates, takes between 45 minutes to an hour. While the hike is relatively easy, basic fitness is recommended. It’s best to plan the trek during the pre-monsoon period, when the water flow is at its lowest, making the terrain more accessible. (Photo by Atiqur Rahman)

For those seeking a more challenging adventure, there’s also a trek to the bottom of the waterfall, where a plunge pool with strikingly green water awaits. The descent takes about 30 minutes, while the return hike up takes around 45 minutes. Guides are available at the ticket counter for a nominal fee of Rs 50. (Photo by Atiqur Rahman)

As the local legend goes, in Rangjyrteh, a village situated upstream from Noh Ka Likai falls, there lived a woman named Likai. After the death of her husband, she remarried, but her new husband, filled with jealousy that his wife only doted on their daughter, took the life of her child, cooked her flesh, and served it to her. One day, Ka Likai found a severed finger and realised the unimaginable truth. In her grief, she jumped off the plateau. The fall came to be known as Ka Likai’s Fall, where Ka is a prefix used for women in Khasi, while Noh means fall. (Photo by Atiqur Rahman)

In Meghalaya, it is customary to chew betel quid after a meal. In the Noh Ka Likai legend, too, Ka Likai was devastated when she discovered her late daughter’s severed fingers near the area when she made her betel nut and leaf (tamul) preparations. (Photo by Atiqur Rahman)

Despite Noh Ka Likai’s Fall sombre tale, it remains a picture perfect destination for tourists, offering breathtaking views of misty mountains during a trek or moments of pause over a hot cup of chai. (Photo by Atiqur Rahman)