When you hear the word “rain,” you probably think of the sound of rain, pakoda, and a hot cup of chai. Most people like rain until they see waterlogging in their area. But in Mawsynram, rain is not just weather. It is part of life, culture, and identity. This small village in Meghalaya is known as the wettest place on Earth. It is because the place receives more than 11,000 mm of rainfall every year. So, the place is getting a Rain Museum to celebrate its unique identity.
Meghalaya is building the world’s first Rain Museum in Mawsynram because no place understands rain like Mawsynram does. The people here do not just live with rain, they live for it. From the way they build their homes to the way they dress, everything is designed to deal with heavy downpours. The state government has decided to turn this unique relationship with rain into an experience for visitors.
Read: Complete Travel Guide on Meghalaya
The idea is to showcase the science behind rainfall and tell people stories about how rain shapes culture, traditions, and daily life in this region.
The Rain Museum will be an immersive space where you can walk through rain simulation rooms that recreate the feeling of a Mawsynram downpour. You will also learn how clouds form and how rain travels from the sky to the soil. There will be exhibits that connect rain to agriculture, music, folklore, and even architecture. You can also explore Khasi traditions that revolve around rain.
The museum will also have a section dedicated to real-time weather monitoring, with help from meteorologists and climate experts. It is being planned as a research and tourism hub in one.
To support this project, the Meghalaya government is also building eco-resorts in nearby areas like Mawmluh. Visitors will get to stay in traditional-style homes, eat local food, and explore the natural beauty of the East Khasi Hills. Mawsynram is surrounded by caves, waterfalls, and living root bridges. The Rain Museum will just add another reason to visit.
The government has already completed the paperwork and planning. Construction will begin after the monsoon season ends. The entire project is being funded with a budget of around ₹35 crore.
