Walk through a garden of monoliths, monuments for the old kings, visit a temple with a brutal legend, explore the cultural capital of Jaintia Hills.....

The Jaintia districts of Meghalaya have a distinct royal history and Nartiang is one of the best places to see well-preserved remnants from this glorious chapter. The garden of monoliths features a collection of large monoliths that were erected as monuments for the old kings. There is a small winding path that twists through and around the looming monoliths, providing a chance for you to explore and soak in the surreal scenes. You will also get decent views of the town from this heritage site.

Some of these stones were erected half a millennia ago and additions were made till the middle of the nineteenth century. The monoliths provide a captivating sight – arguably the largest collection of monoliths in a single place and loaded with so much historical and cultural significance. The standing monoliths or menhirs are dedicated to the male ancestors while the flat ones, the dolmens, are dedicated to the women.

Other Attractions
Nartiang is a treasure trove of history and another major landmark here is the Durga temple, which is close to the monoliths. According to Hindu beliefs, the Nartiang temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. The existing temple is built on a site of an older one and here are stored iron canons that were used in wars by the old Jaintia kings. An interesting fact – the Nartiang temple was a site for human sacrifice in the earlier days. And of course, when in Nartiang, dig into the delicious Pnar cuisine in the local eateries. From various rice preparations to unique meat dishes, there is a lot to savour.