Exploring the Beauty of Meghalaya: A Journey Through Nature

I am Atul Bhiwapurkar; very rarely am I ever able, even for a moment, to extricate myself from the world of medicine to which I dearly cling in Milpitas, California. This very rarely happens, and an example is when I visited Meghalaya, thought to be one of the Indian states that enchantingly appeared; the memories became truly special for me.

I was enamored with the beauty of the countryside and the verdant hills cloaked in the fog with the waterfalls looked legendary. Slowly gliding on curved roads, I began to feel that rare calm that was seldom experienced amidst the hustles back in real life. The brisk mountaintop air seemed to have energized me, physically and mentally! Just what I needed after all those hours of toil in a clinical setup!

The living root bridges were among those first holies on my list. Such poignant natural phenomena are not only marvelous feats of nature but also reflections on the imaginations of local communities. I walked on the bridges for hours while observing how the rubber tree roots were molded over generations into a sturdy living structure. It was the coexistence of nature and nurture that intrigued me, which set my thoughts to think of medicine-patience, care, and long-term planning often yield the most exceptional results.

Meghalaya, indeed, is a land of beauty. But the people, their warmth and geniality make the experience absolutely unforgettable. I was in Shillong, the capital city, where I had the opportunity to talk to a few residents who welcome visitors with exceptional warmth and hospitality and keep reminding them how important humans are in every act concerning healthcare or even in their everyday activities. I tried some unique-tasting Khasi foods that seemed surprisingly very light after a day filled with trekking and exploration.

Nohkalikai Falls might be termed magnificent. A towering glory further camouflaged in mist makes it the eighth wonder in this world. I sat there for a while just watching the water plunge, and I was amazed how these microscopically-small moments of pause create clarity and cleanse one's spirit-things I tell my own patients need to happen with their own busy lives.

Apart from sightseeing, I utilized this opportunity to survey and interact with the peculiar biodiversity of Meghalaya. The region is a true haven for nature lovers-from the rarest orchids to thousands of birds species. Even in this biodiversity, some of the medicinal plants used in Khasi traditional remedies inspired me professionally. Witnessing nature's healers in practice opened up another avenue of thinking regarding holistic health and a strong urgency to fuse natural methods with contemporary modern medicine.

My next stop was Cherrapunji, the wettest place on the planet. The monsoon rains here have almost acquired mythical status; and truly, to soak in these living memories was worth it. Walking in rain-darkened forests and through cloudy vistas, surreal was the only word that came to mind. Rains did transform the place into a green wonderland, relentlessly reminding me that with every cleanup, Mother Nature regenerates herself. 

I Atul Bhiwapurkar Californiacontinued to pen down tales of my experiences while sharing some with my professional circle in leaning toward Atul Bhiwapurkar Profile. Most of the colleagues were amazed to see a medical professional traveling across such a varied cultural and natural canvas. That reminded me again why I should share snippets of my experiences; for life is not all work but also about things one experiences in order to expand his/her horizons and enrich the soul.

It was such a lovely evening in Shillong, and gazing at the peaceful valley around the town made me reflect upon my life journey. That was just one of those beautiful sundowns; the hills were aglow with gold as my heart was filled up with thankfulness from the experience-with travel-patience, observation, and mindfulness, qualities all that indeed are very precious, to be cultivated in be very precious, to be cultivated in not only medicine but in life.

These personal thoughts and renewed energies in life are from Meghalaya. Simple and complex both have their beauty, from the smallest medicinal plant to the splendor that is a waterfall cascading down. Willingly carrying these souvenir inspirations back into Milpitas, California. 

Meghalaya is paradise in itself for a lover of nature, culture, or an advocate of life having meaning. It is not only a breath of fresh air from the otherwise grueling routine but also is a rekindler to trying out new destinations that really boost growth, creativity, and a more refined appreciation of life.

While I continue in my medical practice, I keep reading in Meghalaya. The lessons garnered from the trip-patience, resilience, and connection-are now integrated into my practice and my life. The sojourn in Meghalaya meant much more than just traveling; it was one life experience that has made me wealthy in every sense-mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Besides these visits, I made an excursion into the caves of Meghalaya, mysteriously drawn to the Siju and Mawsmai caves. While walking through these limestone formations, I observed the imprints cut into them throughout the ages. It struck me as being neatly done-"in medicine, it is all in the details." The echoing sounds into the cave and the cool moist air inside the caves only added to the mystery and made it quite a memorable trip.

One of my absolutely favorite things has been to cultivate relationships with local artisans. Meghalaya stands for the traditional handwoven textiles, bamboo crafts, and potteries. I had been to a tiny village where local women dabbled with wonderful patterns on the traditional looms. It seemed that they were quite meticulous and focused-on watching them reminded me of how much skill and patience is required to create any good. I bought some handmade artifacts-not just as mementos but also to remind me of the beauty of dedication and craftsmanship. 

Attraction for me was also the rich cultural heritage of this tiny place. I was able to take part in a mini local festival in Shillong celebrating Khasi music and dance performances. The pulsating rhythm, colours, and happiness lit up the festival. I hardly spoke the local tongue. Still, the warmth and camaraderie embraced me. This trip reminded me that communication is beyond the words; it is felt by the connection forged by shared experiences and emotions.

About Atul Bhiwapurkar

Atul Bhiwapurkar California is a medical representative in Milpitas region, California. Apart from being a passionate health professional at work, he is also a person with a zeal for traveling and uses his travels to share wellness and mindfulness anecdotes from life beyond the clinic. For updates on his professional achievements and travel talks, you can connect with him on Atul Bhiwapurkar Linkedin.