Beautiful Yet Tragic – Story Of Nohkalikai Waterfalls Cherrapunji

The Nohkalikai Waterfalls Cherrapunji is one of the highest waterfall in India that cascades down a cliff from a whopping 1115 ft. The sight of this tallest plunge waterfall in the country is a treat to the eyes of the admirer and thus it is one of the most popular waterfalls in Meghalaya so much so that it has now become a symbol of the tourism scenario in this state.

But did you know that beneath the beauty of this waterfall, lies a heartbreaking story of a tribal woman who gave up her life at the exact spot? Ka Likai – a tribal woman who belonged to the Khasi Community residing in the forests around, jumped from the cliff of the waterfalls. This heart-wrenching story of the tribal lady gave this waterfall the name – Nohkalikai which translates to “the leap of Likai”.

Want to know the story in detail? Continue reading our Nohkalikai Waterfalls Travel Blog to get detailed information about its legend, things to do, the best time to visit and how to reach it.

Legend of the Nohkalikai Waterfalls Cherrapunji

If the beauty of this waterfall doesn’t give you chills, the local legend behind the name of the Nohkalikai Waterfalls will surely give you some goosebumps. Nohkalikai literally translates to “Jump of Ka Likai” wherein ‘Noh’ means jump, ‘Ka’ is a prefix used for a female, and ‘Likai’ is the name of the Khasi woman behind the ghastly legend.

Ka Likai, a woman of the Khasi Tribe was a young mother who lived in the Rangjyrteh village, near the waterfall. She was widowed at a very young age and had a little daughter to look after. Her livelihood was based on collecting and selling forest products like firewood, wild medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables, etc. She worked really hard to sustain their lives by going to forests and spending the day finding and cutting forest products.

Due to her busy schedule and loads of work, it was difficult for her to take care of her little daughter. On the suggestions and perusal of the other women in the village, Ka Likai remarried thinking that her daughter would get a father, who could also help Ka Likai with her work, so she would get time to look after her daughter. She stayed with her new husband and a little daughter.

One day, when Likai returned from the forest, her husband greeted her by cooking lunch for her which was meat and rice – the staple food of Meghalaya. Likai was happy with the gesture of cooking a meal and that her new husband is finally adopting to the family. She went out to search for her daughter so that the three could enjoy their lunch together.

Upon searching for some time, she couldn’t find her little one. Her husband suggested to Likai that she must have her lunch first, after all, she came from the forest, after a day’s hard work. Likai agreed with her husband and assumed that her daughter must be playing at the neighbor’s house. She was also excited to eat what her husband had cooked for her and thus, she sat down happily to have her lunch. 

After, enjoying her lunch she went out to look for her daughter. Little did she know about the horror that would follow, which even we as humans can’t even believe in.

While searching for her daughter in the house, she came across a betel nut basket which was kept in the storehouse. Ka Likai was petrified at the sight of the tiny fingers in between the betel nuts and leaves in the basket. It took Ka Likai some time to understand what exactly had happened and when she discovered the truth she was filled with rage and grief.

The thought of eating her daughter’s meat at the lunch, made by her new husband ghosted Likai. The new husband of Likai turned out to be mad man, who was jealous of Likai’s daughter as she got more attention and love. Out of jealousy, her husband killed Likai’s little daughter and chopped and cooked her meat to serve it as lunch for Likai.

The grief and horror that filled Likai’s heart made her helpless. She ran and ran, madly through the forests, until she reached the edge of the waterfalls. Not being able to forgive herself for the rest of her life, Likai took the leap out of the sorrow and jumped to death at the sight of Nohkalikai Waterfalls. 

It is difficult to wrap my mind around that something so beautiful has such a disturbing story behind it. The beauty of the Nohkalikai waterfalls can be washed away easily for a while after listening to this horrific event. Dangerously beautiful! Isn’t it?