Meghalaya's Mawlynnong village has stopped single-day tourism on Sundays
Since January 2026, Mawlynnong, the famously spotless village in Meghalaya, has closed its doors to single-day tourists every Sunday.
The local council wants Sundays to be about church, family, and community time, not crowds and sightseeing.
They're also looking out for their reputation, worried that visitors might leave unhappy when most services are closed.
What does this ban mean?
All tourist spots, restaurants, shops, and public toilets will be shut on Sundays. Only overnight guests get access to homestays since hosts handle their needs.
Mawlynnong typically receives about 300 visitors a day, rising to around 500 during peak season, so this is a big shift.
A growing trend
This isn't just Mawlynnong: other villages in Meghalaya are doing the same thing.
It's a move to balance tourism with preserving culture and community life, a reminder that sometimes places need a break too.