The most magical place we visited during our trip to the northeast, was Mawlynnong village in Meghalaya , and the living root bridge near it. The roots of banyan trees Ficus elastica were trained to grow across a stream and form a strong bridge, on which we all walked.
The villages in the Khasi hills are connected by ancient pathways like the one above. Wherever there are streams, which invariably become furious during the monsoon season, the Khasis have constructed living root bridges.
Villagers wash their clothes in the stream, and vsitors pose for photographs on the bridge.
A Khasi girl carrying a load of firewood .
The brige itself is paved with flat stones so that you do not feel uncomfortable walking over it. It can easily take the load of 50 people at a time.This bridge at Wahthyllong near Mawlynnong is said to be 150 years old. Unlike the iron bridges, these living bridges grow stronger with age. Some of the root bridges of the area are said to be 500 years old. Although these living root bridges have been in existence since 5oo years, it is only after BBC featured them in Human Planet that people from other parts of the world are visiting them. You can see more about the living root bridges of Meghalaya there.
This is my contribution to Weekend Reflections.
This is my contribution to Weekend Reflections.
Terrific post, photos and reflections for the day! A beautiful place and such interesting information! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I've never heard of such a thing. That is amazing!
ReplyDeleteAmazing foot bridge concept. Thank you for the post from which I learned something.
ReplyDeleteAn ingenious "green" bridge!
ReplyDeletewonderful engineering!missed seeing it when we went to the north east.
ReplyDeletemanisha
Just amazing, speaks volumes about the intelligence of the natives there... Great place, it must be fun walking on those bridges!
ReplyDeleteHave a great sunday:)
I have always been fascinated by the pictures of the living root bridges. Fascinating post and pictures. When I post on this, I'd like to link up to your post.
ReplyDeleteOH that begonia is GORGEOUS! and OH how I would LOVE to have that bridge!
ReplyDeleteWow what a lovely and attractive place shared because there are so natural and more interesting place we can know that and visiting also. Different types of place and good looking very well. So amazing place shared.
ReplyDeleteWonderful. Nature is amazing. I would like to link this post to a post that I am writing. Do let me know.. Thanks.
ReplyDelete