The Don Bosco Centre of Indigenous Cultures (DBCIC) widely known as the Don Bosco Museum (DBM) is located on the Mawlai hillock of Shillong. The museum stands within the Sacred Heart Church complex, and is run by the Salesian order of the Catholic Church. Recognised as Asia’s largest Museum of Indigenous Cultures of its kind, it serves as a major tourist spot providing an insight into the rich and multi-cultural lifestyles of the indigenous people of North-East India. DBM allows one to gather and increase their knowledge and understanding of North-East India.

The museum displays a varied collection of regional art work, attires, accoutrements, handicrafts, ornamentation, photographs and weapons. This theme museum is well stocked with information on the entire North-Eastern States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. The museum has 7 floors with seventeen galleries exhibiting artefacts, paintings and fibreglass items – a treat to the eyes of the visitors and a source of knowledge for them. One can relax and enjoy some of the rare forms of dances of the different North-East states on the top most floor of the museum. A skywalk on the terrace provides a breath-taking view of Shillong city.

DBCIC takes pride in the Don Bosco Museum, Research on indigenous cultures, publications and dissemination of knowledge on indigenous cultures through multi-media, seminars, workshops and DVDs. This museum attracts thousands of travellers across the globe, every year, especially students who get allured as it provides an excellent centre for learning and information.

Visiting Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9am – 5.30pm (Summer), 9am – 5pm (Winters). Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

How to reach:

Nearest airport is the Guwahati Airport. Helicopters are available from Guwahati to Shillong. Nearest railway station is Guwahati railway station, which is 176kms from Shillong. By road, NH-17/Nh-37 and NH-51 has to be taken. Shillong Police Bazar is 3.3kms away from Mawlai.

Best time to visit:

Throughout the year

Located in the State Central Library of Shillong, Captain Williamson Sangma State Museum would be an ideal place to visit for those who love to learn about the ethnic tribal culture and tradition of different regions. Run by the Art and Culture Department of Meghalaya, this museum gives an understanding to tourists about the tribal history, lifestyle, culture and tradition of the different communities residing in the state.

Exhibiting its ethnic tribal culture and tradition, this museum provides a good insight on all aspects of Meghalaya and its history. Along with the statues of Indira Gandhi and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, one can also have a look at the monuments dedicated to the great patriots who fought for the state. It has been recognised as one of the centre for studies intothe history and culture of the state of Meghalaya as well as a centre for preservation of its rich cultural heritage.

Whether it be the rich heritage of Shillong or the history, culture and lifestyle of the local people of this state, a tour through the Captain Williamson Sangma State Museum, will boost your awareness about the state and its people. This museum is worth a visit.

Visiting Hours: 10am to 4pm. Generally closed on public holidays.

How to reach: Nearest airport is the Guwahati Airport. Helicopters are available from Guwahati to Shillong. Nearest railway station is Guwahati railway station, which is 176kms from Shillong. By road, NH-17/Nh-37 and NH-51 has to be taken. Shillong Police Bazar is 1kms away from this museum.

Best time to visit: Throughout the year

It is a fish sanctuary created in the river Simsang under West Garo Hills District. Its area is about 0.1 ha and a depth of about 4.5 m. It is densely populated by Chocolate Mahseer and other species of Mahseer. Initially, it was initiated by IFAD by forming a Natural Resource Management Group (NaRMG) to look after the eco-diversity of Rombagre Village and its surrounding areas in the year 2003-04. The Department of Fisheries, only helps them technically, and later on assisted them financially by way of giving incentives under the scheme “conservation & legislation of fish and fisheries”. The main objective of creating sanctuary is to protect the decreasing population of indigenous species in the river and to create awareness among the community. Now, the Songkal wari commonly call as Rombagre sanctuary has achieved what and how it was projected. It becomes the breeding place and fish has multiplied into hundreds and thousands and also helps in increasing the fish population through the entire stretch of Simsang River. It has become the Tourist Spot and also it has set an example to other communities to follow in different locations and rivers. It is just because of Songkal Wari, many fish sanctuaries has come up in Garo Hills.