Juwai

Juwai: Exploring the Serene Beauty and Cultural Heritage

Juwai is a small town in the District of West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, famous for its enriched cultural heritage and historical landmarks. As the headquarters of West Jaintia Hills, it serves as a hub for commercial operations and educational facilities. It is popular for its Teer game (morning teer, night teer) like Khanapara and Shillong.

Juwai’s neighborhoods are a source of attraction for both residents and tourists alike, thanks to their abundant natural beauty. If you are planning to visit this serene yet dynamic place, then learn about its attractions and notable highlights in this article.

What Makes Juwai Special?

Demographics

The population of this region is around  28,430, and women make up around 51 % of the population. This place has a high literacy rate of around 76 % compared to other localities, and credit goes to its well-established educational system. 

More than 60 % of residents follow Christianity, and Hinduism is the second most followed religion. Most of its residents are Pnar, who belong to the Khasi People, a tribe of Meghalaya, and the Pnar language is widely spoken. 

Cultural Festivals

Juwai is famous for its rich cultural heritage and interesting festivals. If you are visiting this place, then plan for July to participate in the Behdienkhlam festival.  Here you witness the beliefs and the worshipping methods of the Niamtre religion. Young men beat their house roofs with bamboo poles to eliminate evil spirits and other negative energies. In this 4-day event, you see spectacular dances and dad-lawakor, an interesting game played in the afternoon with a wooden ball. 

Chad Sukra is another festival celebrated by the Pnar People in April every year. It is celebrated at the beginning of the harvesting season and features a traditional dance that shows the happiness of the agricultural community. 

Transportation

This district is well-connected with the neighborhood through road networks. You can use the National Highway 40 to travel from Jorabat or Mawlyngkneng to Juwai. However, there is no railway or air transportation means in city center or its neighborhoods

Education

This place is famous for its well-established educational system covering both secondary and higher grades. Due to top-notch facilities, its educational institutes have students from Assam and Bangladesh as well. Some of its famous institutes for secondary education are Tome Memorial Secondary School, St. Mary Mazarello Girls Higher Secondary School, Jowai Public School, and HK Singh Secondary School. 

Moreover, there are many other options to avail for professional studies like Dr. Norman Tunnell Hospital School of Nursing, Kiang and Nangbah government college.

Major Attractions

You cannot call Juwai one of the top tourist destinations in Meghalaya, but it has attractive landmarks in nearby regions for a memorable journey. Just two kilometers from the city center, Tyrshi Falls is the best place for natural lovers to explore. It serves as a trekking site and picnic spot because of its green fields and serene environment.

Tyrshi Falls

Another site to add to your list is the Thadlaskein Lake, which was made by U Sajar Nangli and is famous among tourists and residents for boating and other leisure activities. If you want to look into British developments, then add Juwai Presbyterian Church to your list. This Church is the oldest building in this locality and represents the time period of the British Empire. Other noticeable spots for having quality time are Nartiang monoliths, Umlawan Cave, Kiang Nong Bah, and Ialong Park Sacred Grove. 

Juwai Presbyterian Church

Food

Most local foods are non-veg and based on fish, meat, or pork as the main ingredients. If you want to try non-veg cuisine, then Dohneiiong is a good option. It is a curry made with pork and black sesame seeds. 

For vegetarian dishes, you also get plenty of options like bamboo shoot fry, Nakham bitchi, aloo muri, mushroom dishes, etc. To try these dishes with authentic recipes, some of the reliable names are Chillibreeze Restaurant, 7 Trep Food Court, Jaintia Hill Family Restaurant, and Dove Cottage Restaurant

Bottom Line

Juwai is a significant location in Meghalaya for its cultural and commercial aspects. From local cuisine and cultural festivals to its natural assets, every aspect of this town makes it remarkable. Whether you are seeking adventure or a calming spot, it caters to all visitors.