First Published on June 17, 2017
Meghalaya – the Abode of Clouds, has been a destination that mesmerized me even before I visited it. In fact, I had researched the place so well that I was literally spouting out details of places to visit in Meghalaya with the authority of someone who had already been there. Of course, now that I have been to magical Meghalaya, I can say this with complete confidence – “Nothing comes close to what you imagine the place to be.” Pristine, natural and beautiful – Meghalaya offered much more than what I had researched. Let me start my journey with one of the wonders of Meghalaya – the Living Root Bridge.
The Living Root Bridge in Meghalaya is a unique attraction that is largely associated only with this state of India. It had me riveted from the time I had heard of it. Naturally, it was on top of my list of things to do in Meghalaya. The Meghalaya Living Root Bridges are found across the state and they all vary in their lengths and structure. The one that I particularly wanted to do was the Nongriat double-decker bridge in Cherrapunji. However, I decided to keep that for another time as it involved quite an arduous hike. Since I had a long list of things to do in Meghalaya and time was of the essence, I went ahead with an easier one – the Mawlynnong Living Root Bridge.
However, what I share in this guide to the living root bridges in Meghalaya goes much beyond my own journey to the Mawlynnong Living Root Bridges. It will introduce you to how these bridges in Meghalaya are made, which are the key Meghalaya living root bridges that you can visit and how to get there. I am sure given the uniqueness of the structure, you too will be adding this to your travel bucket list!
Contents
- 1 History of the Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya
- 2 Are the Meghalaya Living Root Bridges – Man-made or Natural?
- 3 Facts about the Meghalaya Living Root Bridges
- 4 Our Journey to the Mawlynnong Living Root Bridge
- 5 A Hike to the Living Root Bridge in Mawlynnong
- 6 Walking on the Mawlynnong Living Root Bridge
- 7 Capturing the Jingmaham Living Root Bridge in Mawlynnong
- 8 Other sights along the way
- 9 How to reach the Living Root Bridge in Mawlynnong?
- 10 Where can you find the other Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya?
- 11 When is the best time to visit the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya?
- 12 Where to stay in Meghalaya for the Living Root Bridges?
- 13 Travel Tips
- 14 Booking Resources
History of the Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya
Locally, the Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya are called Jing Kieng Jri. The exact date or year of their origin is not known but they have been around for over 180 years now. Meghalaya is known for the fact that it receives the highest rainfall in the World. In fact, Cherrapunji (Sohra) is recorded as the wettest place on earth.
The heavy rains of the region cause a lot of flash floods and this restricts the movements of the local Khasi and Jaintia tribes of Meghalaya. The various bamboo bridges that were built over the various rivers were not sturdy enough to withstand the gushing rivers and were often, swept away. The ingenious tribes discovered a robust solution with the living root bridges.
The art of building the Living Root Bridges has been passed from generation to generation of the Jhantia and Khasi tribes of Meghalaya. The earliest date is unknown but the first chronicle of it is said to be in the 1800s. If you talk to the locals, they keep saying that they have always done this – from the times of their great grandparents. It seems to be pretty much a tradition that has been kept alive.
Are the Meghalaya Living Root Bridges – Man-made or Natural?
What you can see are some roots that seem to be entangled to create this structure that hangs between two ends of a river. It’s like having a suspended bridge, isn’t it? Well, I would love to bust that myth. It is anything but a suspended bridge.
Sturdy and strong, these bridges are made of LIVE roots of a rubber tree. These are quite stable bridges and do not even move around as you walk on them. Ficus Elastica is the botanical name for these plants.
Building these bridges is not random. It is by design. The roots of the rubber tree are directed along to enter tree trunks of Betel plants or Areca nut palm trees so that they grow in a particular direction – say from one end of a river to the other or in a particular width. Once the roots reach the other end, they are allowed to entrench themselves in the soil and create a natural hold of its own. Stone, pebbles and sticks are inserted in between to make the whole structure strong.
In some cases, seeds of the Rubber plant are sown on either side of the banks and the roots are then directed using bamboos towards each other
The entire process takes at least 15 years for the whole structure to be stable. And the best part – just like aged wine that tastes the best, the older the bridges are the more sturdy they are. Naturally, as they keep growing and add more support for themselves. The old roots decay and fall away while the new ones take their place.
The Living Root Bridge fascinated me as they were nature’s artwork but guided by men. Simply put by one of the reports that I had read – they are not built but grown. And the fact that they are so unusual was enough for me to add this on top of my attractions in Meghalaya.
Facts about the Meghalaya Living Root Bridges
- The living root bridges are largely associated with Meghalaya but there are a few that you can find in the neighboring places like Myanmar and Nagaland. There are similar tree shaping versions in Indonesia too.
- Some of the bridges, especially the ones in Cherrapunji are said to be over 500 years old. The one I visited – the living root bridge in Mawlynnong had the trees planted around 1840.
- The Ummunoi Root Bridge is said to be the oldest living root bridge in Meghalaya
- Not only are they strong enough to withstand the flood but can hold an army of 50 on it.
- The longest known living root bridge is in Pynursla – a small Khasi village in Meghalaya. It stretches for around 50 m.
- The Living Root Bridges have been awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Our Journey to the Mawlynnong Living Root Bridge
Jingmaham Living Root Bridge is near the Mawlynnong village and this is where we planned to stay for a night. To reach the bridge, we were to do a short hike from the Nohwet village, at a distance of 2 kms from the main Mawlynnong village.
We set out from Cherrapunji towards this village and were scheduled to arrive here in 2 hours. However, it was over 4 hours that it took to reach here – all thanks to the clouds floating around our route. The visibility was less than 200m and I totally am in awe of our driver who patiently and expertly drove through these clouds to get us here. It was past noon when we set down for a small hike to the famed Living Root Bridge of Mawlynnong.
A Hike to the Living Root Bridge in Mawlynnong
The hike to the Jingmaham Root Bridge took us down to the river along natural stairs that were made by the roots of trees. I use the word hike loosely as for me it was merely climbing down but for my daughter, it was an adventure to do so. The stairs were not too high but she found them quite unusual as they were all pebbled slabs and roots of varying widths. The villagers there had added bamboo banisters for support and here and there, they had small sheds where they sold water and cucumbers for the weary visitors.
I would rate the climb down as well as up quite easy – easy enough to do with kids. There are enough resting points along the way with thoughtful bamboo benches. The hike to the living root bridge itself would not be more than a kilometer long.
Walking on the Mawlynnong Living Root Bridge
Nothing prepares you for the Living Root Bridge. I had seen so many pictures and read so much about it. I had this image of a shaking, narrow bridge that you would have to walk gingerly as it swayed from side to side. However, what I saw was completely an antithesis of this.
As firm as a metal bridge, this was wide enough to hold at least 5 people side by side. 30m long, there was no need to hold any part of the bridge as we walked along. Jump, run or dance, you were on firm grounds and yet you were right above the flowing, crystal stream of Meghalaya.
For all the descriptions that I had given my daughter, she too, had an image of a rope bridge and she was expecting an adventure walking on it. I could see a mix of disappointment and wonder in her eyes as she set foot on the bridge. Disappointed that she could not boast of walking on a rocking bridge, wonderous because she had never ever seen something like this before.
Capturing the Jingmaham Living Root Bridge in Mawlynnong
There was something naturally artistic and beautiful about the Living Root Bridge. I would term it as “rustic charm” The free hanging root hair, the entangled tree trunks and the wide open gaps to see the lovely stream flowing below – they came together in an unusual manner to create this pretty picture. In some ways, this felt like a set of The Hobbit. The photographer in me went berserk capturing it from various angles.
Walking along to the other side, I hopped across the river rocks to capture it in its full glory. Stepping along the sides, it was fun getting my hubby and daughter within the natural frames of its roots. And then, there was the whole aspect of getting it while you were on the bridge. I definitely did not want to leave any possible angle of capturing this magnificent symbiotic collaboration of man and nature!
Other sights along the way
Once you are done with the living root bridge and you get back to the Nohwet Village, just spend some time walking around the village. It was refreshing to see the simple and natural way of life that the people here have. You can even indulge in some shopping for bamboo curios – most of which are made within the village itself.
Mawlynnong Balancing Rock
Take a short walk away from the village and you can see the unique balancing rock. Yes, you have a small entrance fee of INR 10 to see this but well, think of it. You are just adding to some sustenance for this village. The Balancing Rock isn’t anything fascinating but if stories are to be believed, it has been around for years now.
After seeing the Living Root Bridge, my admiration for this has gone up by notches. A natural bridge that was grown with the help of Man’s knowledge! Today in the modern world, we are hunting for eco-friendly and sustainable development, here was something that has been in existence for years now. Goes to show that some things may be slow but they sure are sturdy and sustainable for life!
Don’t you agree- that the Living Root Bridge is a natural, man-made marvel?
How to reach the Living Root Bridge in Mawlynnong?
Mawlynnong is around two and half hours from the state capital Shillong. There are plenty of cab operators who offer day-trips to this village which is at a distance of 75 km from Shillong. You also, have the option of opting for shared cabs from the central Police Bazaar.
Shillong does not have an airport. The nearest one is in Guwahati. You hire a taxi or get on a bus to reach Shillong, a distance of 3 – 4 hours from the Guwahati Airport.
Where can you find the other Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya?
Though there are tons of Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya, not all of them are easy to visit. Some of them have not been used and hence, are not very safe to walk on. Here is a list of the recommended Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya.
1) Mawlynnong Living Root Bridge
This is the one that I visited. It is easy to hike to it and is quite scenic too. What makes it attractive to visit are the other places that you can club along with it. The cleanest village of Mawlynnong, also called the “God’s own Garden” is a huge draw as well as the cleanest river Dawki with its fairytale landscape.
2) Nongriat Double Decker Living Root Bridge
Also called Jingkieng Nongriat or the Umshiang Double Decker Bridge, this one is the most popular among all the Meghalaya Root Bridges. It is 30 m long and 2400 m high. You need to be prepared for an arduous hike to the living root bridge of Nongriat.
To see the Double Decker living root bridge, you need to head to the village of Tyrna from Cherrapunji. This is where you start your 3000 steps hike to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge near Umshiang River. The steps are not even and at some places, quite steep. What makes the hike to the living root bridge interesting are the flora and fauna of the place. Be prepared to spot some interesting birds and some scary insects too.
The hiking trail will take you through smaller suspension bridges. There are numerous swimming pools around the place which can serve as a good break on this intensive hike.
The Double Decker Bridge is a sight to behold and you can walk on either one of the levels. The two levels were by design as during one particular season, the lower one got submerged in the Umshiang river. Hence, a higher one was required. If rumors are to be believed, then there is a third level being constructed. So keep an eye out for that.
If you still have the energy, continue a little further from the double decker bridge to Rainbow falls with its pretty colors.
3) Ritymmen Root Bridge
This can be visited when you are hiking to the Nongriat Double Decker Root Bridge. In fact, if you want to cut short your hike to the Double Decker bridge, then you can just visit the Ritymmen Living Root Bridge. The bridge is in fact, quite impressive owing to its length (30 m). It is considered as one of the longest bridges of Meghalaya
4) Mawsaw Living Root Bridge
The Mawsaw Living Root bridge is a little ahead of the Double decker bridge in Meghalaya. What makes the visit worthwhile are the natural pools around the bridge. You can actually swim around there.
5) Ummunoi Living Root Bridge in Meghalaya
To get to this oldest living root bridge of Meghalaya, you need to get to Laitkynsew village. From here, the bridge is a 2 km hike. The Ummunoi Bridge is around 74 m long.
When is the best time to visit the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya?
The only time that I recommend you avoid visiting Meghalaya is during monsoons. This would be between the months of June to September. The rest of the year is perfect for enjoying Meghalaya and its living root bridges. Personally, I recommend pre-monsoon months – March and April, to get the best of the place.
Where to stay in Meghalaya for the Living Root Bridges?
Most of the Living Root Brides are located in remote villages. Most of these are accessible from either Shillong or Cherrapunji. When it comes to Shillong, there are plenty of stay options that can suit your budget. However, Sohra or Cherrapunjee has limited accommodation choices. It might even be a challenge to find them through the internet.
It is better to book a home-stay through a reputed travel operator who specializes in North-East India. I highly recommend using North-East Explorers who helped me get some really comfortable homestays in Sohra and Mawlynnong.
Pin this up as your guide to the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya so that you have all your information ready when you decide to get there.
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Travel Tips
- Carry your rain gear with you at all times. Dress in layers to keep warm. Wear flat shoes for your excursion to the Living Root Bridge. Also, choose your shoes carefully as the path to the bridges can be really wet and slippery.
- There are a few small restaurants along the way as well as in Mawlynnong. You will be able to get basic food like Noodles and rice at these places.
- Restroom facilities are available at these restaurants
- I would highly recommend a night’s stay at Mawlynnong. It is worthwhile experiencing life in the cleanest village of Asia. There are no big hotels here but plenty of home-stays.
Booking Resources
- Booking.com is great for picking your stay or hotels in Shillong. They have limited options for Cherrapunji.
- Click through to North East Explorers for any tours in North East India. You can take up their packages that even include cabs and stays with a guide or just what you require. I used them to book my cab and stay in Meghalaya and highly recommend them.
- For any of your travel accessories or even home needs click through to Amazon from my website.
Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links. This means that at no cost to you, I will receive a small commission if you purchase through my link. Thank you for supporting me with this.
Popularly referred to as a Restless Ball of Energy. My Mom refuses to entertain my complaints about my equally restless daughter & assures my husband that I was born with a travel bug.
I am a Post-Graduate in Marketing by qualification and a travel blogger by passion. Besides travel, I enjoy photography and if you don’t find me at my desk, I would be out playing badminton or swimming or just running. I believe in planning for every long weekend through the year. And when I cannot travel physically, I travel virtually through this travel blog. My travel stories have also, got published on various websites and magazines including BBC Travel, Lonely Planet India and Jetwings. I have recently published my first book – When Places Come Alive – a collection of stories that are based on legends, landscapes, art and culture of a place which is available in both ebook and paperback format.
These Living Root bridges, take me back to the time when engineering was a concept, not a subject 🙂 I mean this is amazing, creating a suspension bridge from a rubber tree is commendable..these tribes have far more knowledge than we can ever imagine..Thanks for sharing this refreshing post 🙂
It sure is an engineering marvel. I am completely in awe of it. Glad you found the same too. Thanks Veidehii.
What an amazing concept of building bridges by trees suspended on roots. I can totally imagine the delight on your daughter’s face, Ami! This is like coming face to face with art in motion and connecting our own roots with nature. Spectacular captures, I would so love to explore this someday.
Thank you Arti. I am just glad that I could get my daughter to see this wonder. Truly unique and right in our backyard.
The other day I watched a documentary on these Living Root Bridges on TV. I think it was OMG on History Channel. The pictures you have taken are really wonderful.
Thank you so much. I loved the rustic charm of this place and am glad you too, find the same in my pics. Thanks for stopping by
Fantastically written Ami, I am so glad that you guys had a fantastic time here. Look forward to having you here again, soon,
And by the way, until now, I myself never knew the scientific names of all the things you have mentioned here 😉
Cheers,
Rajiv
Ha ha, Rajiv, you missed the signboards near the bridge that had the names mentioned there. Next time when you are there, you must see that.
Haha… I did not… I just dl don’t remember all that’s written there :-p
:-). Nonetheless, fascinating place! Thanks for the recommendation!
Cannot agree more 🙂
Absolutely well scripted piece you have here. Its gripping and I felt same thrill you experienced while being there.
Thank you Ashish. Glad you enjoyed it too.
Tree roots really do have a life of their own! Sounds like a cool adventure.
It is, and a lovely one. You should definitely attempt seeing this one sometime in life.
I remember being awestruck when I first saw images of these bridges some years ago.
Whilst I’m still to see them in person, I’m so glad (and a little jealous) that you were able to experience them!
Thank you Chris. I hope that someday you can make it to these unexplored places of India. They truly are marvelous. And yes, I have the horns right now – so go ahead and envy me!;-)
Very well written!! Reminded me of the visit to this place few years ago!! Nice photos!!
Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed the write up
Awesome post on Living Root Bridge. Hope soon visit Mawlynnong .
Thanks for sharing all pics.
Thank you Rupam.
Beautiful. If one goes to Meghalaya, then the journey will be incomplete without seeing the living root bridge. Isn’t it? I am planning to head there sometimes this year. I will be with my kid so I guess I will like to enjoy this easier living root bridge. Thanks for sharing Ami!
Definitely a lovely place to visit. Am pretty sure you will have fun.
The Living Root bridge is one of those phenomenon of nature that is something one must experience. Even I had the impression that the bridge would kind of a rope bridge that would shake when you walk on it. Surprising to note that it is steady as a rock. But still that does not detract from the uniqueness of the place. I am sure the trek to the bridge in itself was also an exhilarating experience.
It is amazing how stable it is. It is like walking on a regular stretch of land or road. Amazing indeed. Thanks for stopping by.
I thought the living root bridge just grew that way, never imagined it’s nature artwork which is well guided by men. I am in total awe now. Why don’t we see this excellent engineering getting replicated in the modern cities I wonder. My husband went to the village Mawlynnong and visited this bridge in the dry season, he got me a bamboo curio (exactly the ones you photographed) 🙂 .
How nice to get that Souvenir? I hope you get to go and choose one in person sometime soon. A visit here is highly recommended Tania.
I never know that something like this is existing. I only see this in a fantasy movie and wow this time its for real. It’s really magical to see how our nature works. Your travel tips going here are very helpful too.
Thank you. It is a fantastic artwork of nature indeed!
Wow so mysterious. I love the details you put in this article.
Thank you Kenneth
Living Root Bridge is a great sight! What amazes me most is that, as we know, these trees are centuries, if not, hundreds of years old!
Yes, some of the trees are over 100 years old and they are so sturdy. Thanks for stopping by.
I can’t believe I’ve yet to hear of Meghalaya and this impressive natural creation! It does look man made – the beauty of nature doing stunning things!
Meghalaya is one of our hidden destinations that not many opt for. But it is stunning nonetheless. This is just one of the marvels of this state. You should check out the rest of them Shane. Thanks for stopping by.
Nature and it’s miracles are just spectacular. This is such a beautiful thing to learn about the root bridges’ history. I’m yet to visit Meghalaya, the only NE Indian state I haven’t set foot on 🙂
A beautiful state SriParna. Dont miss it!
Nice post Ami. The living root bridge is on my “Things to see” as well. Great to know the concept behind this and the ingenuity of the tribal in building this naturally.
This is one beautiful creation. You must go Swati.
This Living Root Bridge reminds me a lot of Ta Prohm, or the Tomb Raider temple in Siem Reap. Like the trees which roots have burst into the crevices of the temple, this one has managed to grow in a way that it has become a structure itself. Fascinating what nature can do and I can certainly understand why you wanted to see it for yourself.
I also find the balancing rock equally amazing. Heck I can’t even balance myself when I’m doing yoga but this huge rock is killing it!
Ha ha Marjorie. True, the balancing rock is quite an impressive feat. And the Living Root Bridge – that is truly something else. I hope you get to see it for yourself. Cheers
We planned twice to head to NE states, but it flopped both times! The living root bridge is one of the major reasons why I want to venture to this region. I so envy you now!
You’ve written a very detailed post! When my plan works out in future, I’ll ask you for suggestions!
Definitely Bhushavali. Will be happy to guide you. Meghalaya is just amazing!
This is the first time I heard about the root bridge and I thought it was just a name… But uts a TRUE ROOT BRIDGE! This place is indeed a treasure, its beauty is beyond words… Its majestic!
Yes Blair – a live root bridge! It is just so amazing to see it.
What a good and useful tradition. It’s like an engineering marvel really. Would love to see these too as im scared of hanging bridges. These are way better!
Oh yes, these are way better. They are not hanging bridges but sturdy man-made nature bridges.
This place looks mystical! I love when I find posts about places I didn’t know existed and now have another place to add to my bucket list!
Thank you Tarah. This place is amazing indeed and you must try and visit it.
1840 is a very long time. I can imagine how strong the roots will be! What an adventure! I was in Shillong for a while during analog days and remember crossing some such small bridges, I have to get back there again.
I am pretty sure you will find a lot of changes from then. You must now plan this as your next destination. 🙂
this place looks so magical and gives me jungle book vibes for sure! I love it!
Thank you Yasmina. It is really really pretty. I hope you go there sometime.
Man bridge looks natural for me, though the places looks very mysterious. It’s not to visit a certain place like this, it’s like going back and reminiscing the old times. Your travel tips are indeed useful, too! x
Thanks Cathy. The place is quite an unusual one and I would highly recommend it. Hope you manage a trip sometime to see this.
I saw pictures of this bridge before but I never knew where exactly it was. Pinned it! I will visit it next time I go to India 🙂
Thanks Veronica. You definitely should. A unique piece of work this is.
It is every Indian’s dream to experience this unique bridge. Though I had read a lot about these root bridges but I didn’t know anything about the balancing rock. Thanks for penning an informative blog.
Thanks Abhinav. Plenty of hidden wonders in this state.
WOW! That living root bridge is amazing! I thought for sure there was some gimmick involved 😛 I love how unlike most other manmade structures, with the help of nature — these only become more strong with time. Such a sweet concept, too.
Indeed. I loved the concept – goes to show how we can coexist with nature. Thanks for stopping by Chantae
I saw a documentary on Netflix few months ago about that living root bridge in Meghalaya! Glad to this this symbiotic relationship of man with nature!
Thanks Anamika. The place is unique and definitely an example of how we can work well with Nature without destroying it
I’ve never heard of Meghalaya but it just became part of my places to visit list! This is absolutely incredible and so fascinating that these tribes were able to direct the roots in this fashion for functional purposes. Great post!
Thank you Colby. Meghalaya is a smaller state in our huge country, a lot of it still offbeat and unexplored. I am glad it is a part of your list now. You are bound to enjoy it.
Your photos are absolutely stunning! This is a perfect hiking destination. Reading your blog has certainly made me think of curating a future plan at some point.
I am glad that my post inspired you to add this to your wanderlist. Hope you get to it soon
The more nature I see Ami, the more amazed I am. Unreal. A root bridge. Nature is inspired. The thing about roots is these natural anchors are insanely tough, resilient and strong. When I am weeding, even tiny roots are a pain to get out of the ground. I can only imagine how stable this natural bridge feels. Way cool post 🙂
Thanks Ryan. It was so fascinating to see these structures. Am glad to share it with everyone.
This is so interesting! I never knew the rubber tree’s roots grew like that, and it’s remarkable that you can cross footbridge made from the living roots. Oh, and I would have totally picked up some of those bamboo souvenirs – love the baskets!
One of its kind and a must visit in Meghalaya. Am glad to have shared these with you. Bamboo baskets are totally amazing and I bought some too.
Wow! Isn’t nature incredible? I cannot believe that this amazing place exists in the world. What a fantastic thing to be able to explore and photograph. It’s funny you mentioned it looked like it was something from out of the Hobbit because that’s exactly what I was thinking too!
I could not shake the feeling of Hobbit homes when here. It felt as if I were living that story.
Your post brought back such beautiful memories of my Mawlynnong visit! I was so surprised when I found out the bridges were made with roots of rubber trees! I didn’t know they planted them sometimes. I always thought they used the wildly growing trees. But none the less, the whole concept and the result is so fascinating and goes to show how humans can work with nature efficiently! 😀
Thank you Vaisakhi. It is truly a great collaboration of man and nature.
As I started reading your post and moved to the first picture, it reminded me of the same bridge in Indonesia. And, you mentioned it in your post. But, this is the first time I read about how it made. It was interesting and how incredible that the locals thought about using the rubber tree to build a bridge this way.
I would love to compare notes with the Indonesia one. Maybe on my next trip there I should go seeking it.
How cool! I had never heard of this before, but it is so fascinating! I love the history behind the bridges and I can imagine how much work must go into crafting the roots to grow in a certain direction. If only humans could work this efficiently with nature in other ways!
So true, I wish we had more of such bioengineered stuff. This does go to show we can coexist with nature in the right way
I can certainly see why you would want to visit a Living Root Bridge. The double decker bridge looks so cool. Hope you get to visit one day. Fascinating to read how these bridges are “created” and that it takes 15 years or more for a strong bridge to be ready. Good to know they solved the issues with the lighter bamboo bridges being washed away in the floods. What a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I sure wanna do the double decker one. Will be quite an adventure.
Beautiful pictures of the Mawlynnong root bridge which made me so nostalgic. I have done this trip many years back. Shillong is one of my favorite small towns and have always enjoyed being there mostly on work but also on holidays more than once with my wife. It’s so nice that you explained here the method by which these root bridges are made.
Thanks Subhashish. I enjoyed my trip here too…somehow Meghalaya is quite a different destination.
This is the first time I have heard of living root bridges and your photos are incredible! It amazes me that the roots are guided so patiently over 15 years to construct the bridge and that the structure is so solid.
True that, the sturdy structure that gets better with time!
Which month did you visit Cherapunji to see so many clouds?
This would be in the month of April