About Elephant Falls
Elephant Falls near Shillong is the most visited waterfall in Meghalaya, named by the British colonists for a rock formation resembling a crouching elephant that was unfortunately destroyed in the 1897 earthquake. The falls descend in three successive stages through a narrow forested gorge — the first stage is wide and shallow, the second narrow and dramatic, and the third and lowest the most powerful, where the combined volume thunders into a dark pool surrounded by fern-covered walls. Steps descend alongside each level, making this one of India's best-managed waterfall viewing experiences.
The three stages of Elephant Falls offer completely different photographic perspectives and water characters — the upper fall is best in horizontal format, the middle in vertical, and the lower requires a wide-angle to capture the full width of the curtain. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is one of northeast India's most accessible and culturally rich cities, and Elephant Falls is an essential stop on any Shillong itinerary. The forest around the falls is home to a diverse community of butterflies and small birds.
July–September for maximum flow; mornings avoid crowds and give better light in the gorge.
Each of the three stages deserves its own composition — don't rush past the upper tiers to reach the famous lower fall.