Interesting facts

1. Tura is situated at the foothills of Tura Peak, which rises to about 872 meters above sea level. 2. The city's name is believed to have originated from "Durama," a local deity who is said to reside in the hills. 3. The British established Tura as an administrative center in 1873 to manage the Garo Hills region. 4. Tura is the cultural capital of the Garo (A'chik) tribe, who practice a unique matrilineal system where property is inherited by the youngest daughter (Nokma). 5. The Garo language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family. 6. The Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, located a short drive from Tura, is a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves site. 7. *Citrus indica*, locally known as "Memang Narang" (ghost orange), a wild ancestor of modern citrus fruits, was discovered in the Nokrek hills near Tura. 8. The town serves as the headquarters of the West Garo Hills district. 9. Tura hosts the spectacular Wangala Festival (the 100 Drums Festival) in nearby Asanang every November, celebrating the post-harvest season. 10. P.A. Sangma, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha and a prominent national political figure, hailed from Tura. 11. The headquarters of the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) is located in Tura, not in the state capital Shillong. 12. Tura Christian Hospital, established by American Baptist Missionaries in 1908, is one of the oldest healthcare institutions in the region. 13. Pelga Falls, located just 7 km from the town, is a popular local picnic spot and natural attraction. 14. Siju Cave (Bat Cave), one of the longest cave systems in India, is accessible via Tura. 15. Balpakram National Park, known as the "land of spirits" in Garo mythology, is often explored with Tura as the base. 16. Traditional Garo cuisine, which heavily features bamboo shoots, pork, and rice beer (Bitchi), is a staple in local households and eateries. 17. Ringrey and Super Market are the primary commercial hubs for local produce, traditional garments (Dakmanda), and bamboo crafts. 18. Christianity is the dominant religion, with the Garo Baptist Convention and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tura being major religious institutions. 19. Tura enjoys a relatively temperate climate, though it experiences incredibly heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. 20. Despite having an airport at nearby Baljek, it is currently non-operational for commercial flights, making Guwahati (Assam) the primary transit hub to reach Tura.