Nartiang Monoliths

Nartiang, about 60 km from Shillong in the West Jaintia Hills, is home to one of the largest collections of monoliths anywhere in the world. Hundreds of standing stones (menhirs) and flat table stones (dolmens) crowd a grassy garden, some towering high above visitors. The tallest, called Mooh Long Syiem, rises around 8 m.

The monoliths are associated with the Jaintia (Pnar) kings, who had a summer capital at Nartiang. According to local tradition, many were erected between the 16th and 18th centuries to commemorate rulers, events and clan ancestors; the tallest is linked in legend to the giant Mar Phalyngki. Erecting such stones required organised labour and remains part of Khasi-Jaintia memorial culture.

In the same village is a Durga temple, once associated with the Jaintia royal family and an old site of Shakti worship. Nartiang is a quiet, atmospheric stop, especially in the morning light, and fits easily into a Jaintia Hills day trip with Krang Suri Falls.