Nartiang, Jaintia Hills Meghalaya is a garden of monoliths which is 62 Kms away from the capital city Shillong. Nartiang houses hundreds of monoliths and also one of the tallest Menhir. The clusters of monoliths are erected to mark the reigns of the erstwhile Jaintia Kings which is a significant event in the history of Meghalaya.
Due to oral tradition and absence of written scripts back in the days there are many beliefs regarding the origin of this place. While some say that the tallest Menhir erected by U Mar Phalyngki a trusted lieutenant of the Jaintia King to commemorate his victory in a battle. Other monoliths were erected by U Mar Phalyngki, U Luh Lyngskor Lamare and various clans of Nartiang village between 1500A.D.and l835A.D
Some talk of a legend, Luh Lyngshkor who on a rainy day asked an old woman for a ‘knub’ (bamboo made umbrella). The old woman denied the umbrella and should use one of the stone slabs to cover himself since he was big built and strong. Luh Lyngshkor went to Raliang Market, lifted a slab to cover himself. This also marked a shift of the market from Raliang to Nartiang.
