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Shivani Pde

@pdeistyping

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Published Author | Travel Writer
Visual Stories | People, Places, Culture
Social Media Strategist
General Secretary @meghalayatriathlonassociation

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Iewduh, or Bara Bazar as they call it, is the heartbeat of Shillong and its rooted traditions. The word Iewduh literally translates to “the biggest bazaar” ('iew' means bazaar, 'duh' means biggest). Iewduh thrives through an indigenous system of administration recognised by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).

As a kid, I used to hate visiting Iewduh but as I grew older, I’ve fallen in love with it. The colours, vibrancy, and energies that flow through the veins of this market are immaculate. Our locals are friendly & helpful. It pained me when the TRP hungry media channels till this date keep bringing up in interviews, "if meghalaya is safe?" I mean, the Shillong Honeymoon Murder was not done by locals was it ??????? So why keep diging up dead topics ???

I did a bit of research online on Iewduh and found this: dating back to at least 1874, Iewduh has stood as the principal hub of trade and cultural exchange, long before colonial footsteps touched these hills. It served as the economic heart of the Hima Shillong-Nongskeh which was then a flourishing kingdom and continues to be the lifeline of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills today.

Annual rituals are performed to pay homage to U Lei Shillong and to seek blessings for prosperous and peaceful trade. After the rituals, dancers accompanied by drums and flutes lead the parade back to Khlieh Iewduh, where the ‘Shad Lehniam Iewduh’ ritual is performed.

Iewduh, once a place I dreaded, is now a place I deeply cherish. Funny how the heart always knows where home is—even when we don’t.

-Love Shivani ❤️

#iewduh #motphran #barabazar #shillong #shillongdiaries #meghalaya by @pdeistyping

Our baby is SEVEN. And our baby did Meghalaya’s Mawryngkhang Bamboo Trek. 💪🏻

Approximately 6.5 km round trip, with narrow bamboo bridges along cliffs, steep climbs and ladders. A trek that asks for stamina, balance and courage, one careful step at a time.

We started early at 8:30 am, taking it slow and steady, and reached U Mawryngkhang Rock around 10 am. By 12:15 pm, we were at the Wahrew River, enjoying an hour’s riverside Maggi and juice break. At 1:30 pm, we began the uphill climb back and finished at 2 pm.

Five and a half hours, including our breaks. My little adventure partner, you’ve given your mama a story she’ll never get tired of telling. Proud is an understatement.

(meghalaya, mawryngkhang, bamboo trek, wahrew river, little adventurer, proud mum, family adventures, meta india)

#editfilmfestival by @pdeistyping

The Journey to The Healed Healer- Inspired by my blog i wrote in my past life.

https://shivaninegi.blogspot.com/2012/06/storyteller.html

#healed by @pdeistyping

A tradition that continues to dance through generations.

Shad Nongkrem, celebrated in Smit, Meghalaya, is one of the most significant festivals of the Khasi community.

A sacred thanksgiving celebration, it brings together faith, culture and centuries-old traditions, with prayers for a good harvest, peace and prosperity.

A beautiful reminder that culture is not just something we inherit. It is something we keep alive.

Have you witnessed this before ?

(nongkrem dance festival, shad nongkrem, smit meghalaya, khasi culture, meghalaya festivals, indigenous traditions, northeast india, cultural heritage)

#meghalaya #meghalayatourism #traveldiaries #culture #northeastindia by @pdeistyping

As a writer, I find stories in everyday life, especially in history and culture, it’s fascinating how traditions speak without words.

The shad nongkrem dance in meghalaya is one such story, ancient yet alive, carried through rhythm, color, and grace. It celebrates the bond between people, nature, and the divine, where every beat of the drum feels like the heartbeat of the khasi hills.

Watching the dancers move in harmony, I could almost hear whispers of ancestors guiding each step. It felt like poetry written on air, where movement becomes language and faith becomes art.

It’s a reminder of how deeply our roots shape who we are, how culture holds memory better than any book ever could.

For a writer, this isn’t just inspiration, it’s a revelation, a story that never ends, only evolves.

Thank you Meghalaya, you heal me each day, love you.

#shadnongkrem #meghalayaculture #khasitribe #indianculture #tribaldance
(northeastindia incredibleindia culturalheritage Indian festival) by @pdeistyping

Left them all at sea level. 🫡 This is U Mawryngkhang, Meghalaya, India’s craziest bamboo skywalk.
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(Meghalaya, Trekking, Hiking , Adventure, Adreline, Sports, North East India, Bamboo Trek, Wahkhen Village)

#explore #northeastindia #trekking #hikingadventures #hiking by @pdeistyping

Markham Valley Fest reminded me of Cowboy Country. The Valley itself was gorgeous, will visit next time again for a trek although the roads leading upto the fest was quite winding, difficult terrain & dusty just like remote country side. But really enjoyed our local food & local wine.
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(Concert, fest, Markham Valley, west khasi hills, meghalaya, shillong, North East India)

#reels #explore #northeastindia #festivevibes #festival by @pdeistyping

Completed Double Decker Bridge Trek Tyrna Village Meghalaya - 3500 steps one way - Total 7000 steps with Our 7 Year Old. Videos online make it a huge drama that it's so difficult, it was hard upstairs but doable- most rewarding were the fishes pedicure 😁 under the Double Decker Bridge. Must DO!! Go trek !!

(tyrna village, double decker bridge, trek, adventure, meghalaya, north East India, incredible india)

#northeast #explore #meghalaya #doubledeckerbridge #adventuretravel by @pdeistyping

An evening in Wahkhen, Meghalaya. New friends, a football game and the joy of slowing down.

Between little scenes of village life, our daughter found her own adventure: playing with the village kids. No introductions needed, no judgments, just a game to join and friends to make.

This is what we want family travel to give her: a chance to connect with people beyond her familiar world. She had such a great time, and watching them made me just as happy. Then I joined a football game too.

For us, this is the joy of slow travel. Staying long enough to share a little of everyday life.

(wahkhen village, meghalaya travel, village life, slow travel, childhood unplugged, northeast india)

#meghalaya #explore #northeast #traveldiaries #writer by @pdeistyping

We had just checked into our homestay when I heard music coming from somewhere in the distance. Something told me to follow it, and I’m so glad I did.

It led me to a Jingïaseng (get together) at Wahkhen village school ground. The entire village gathered under a single light, their hearts full of faith. I stood among them, overwhelmed by the music, the togetherness and the warmth with which they welcomed me.

For those moments, nothing else mattered. This was life, and I felt it with all my heart.

Thank you, Wahkhen village, for your smiling faces, your welcoming energy and the beautiful spirit you shared with us.
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(Wahken Village, Mawryngkhang, Bamboo trek, North East India, Adventure, Village Life, Meghalaya Tourism) by @pdeistyping

Wahken kids have very organic toys - BUGS ! So connected with nature & to the ground. Loved our stay at Wahken Village.
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(Wahken Village, Mawryngkhang, Bamboo trek, North East India, Adventure, Village Life, Meghalaya Tourism) by @pdeistyping

Thank you Kong Patricia Mukhim, you're most kind & sweet 🫶🏻 to me 😬
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#writer #writercommunity #storytime #truestory by @pdeistyping