Living Roots.. nature’s bounty!!

Traveling is one of the best teachers, your essence or real self is the nature, as we all are created out of it - the five essential elements!!

Double Decker Living Root Bridges

Every place has a different story to tell, self-reliance, essential elements, livelihood and sustainability. Nature holds the treasure, and we all have been using it time immemorial…not only for our survival but monetary well being as well…(till IT industry took over our real nature connect).

Khasi Hills, on one extreme end of Indian subcontinent is home to living nature and the roots.. as too much of ‘development’ has not touched this extreme end of the country;  Cherapunji, the wettest place in Meghalaya, India.

The tableland or plateau and high amounts of rainfall are a great amalgamation for waterfalls, which are spread across this region. The tourists can spot strips of gushing waters from the cliffs, splashing out rainbows. The contouring terrain gives a surface to various other forms and sizes of falls surrounded by flora and fauna. Seven Sisters and Nohkalikai falls are few of the gigantic famous waterfalls.

Nohkalikai Waterfalls in Cherapunji

Passages to reach them & to cross these waterways are amazingly marvelous.. sticking to nature, off the concrete zone are natural geographical wonders you get to witness, the living root bridges..

To reach this natural marvel, you go to Nogriat village near Cherapunji. The real adventurous grill begins when you have to walk down 3500 steps down crossing various metallic suspension bridges to reach these Double Decker living root bridges at Mawlynnong, which are knitted by the locals through an art, something similar to bonsai making.

The beauty of this art formation is found in various villages in North Eastern India. These bridges don’t wear off with age, but keep strengthening as the time passes by, tree grows, and the roots thicken!! Moreover, another tough element, bamboo is used on the pathway which paves the way for the locals and visitors. These are made mostly of rubber trees with scaffolding technique; it takes around a decade for these bridges to be functional.

A stream, waterfall, boulders, rocks.. a perfect combination where you keep admiring the beauty of nature and the resilient elements we have been gifted with.

It’s recommended to travel absolutely light with a pair of swimming costume or a change so that you can relax in the stream after the tough trek. Locals are there to assist and on way, there are small food counters to grab some fruits or a bite, maybe tea coffee or Maggi!!

The real challenge is to climb your way back, up; as this is the most time-consuming task. Keep the longer breaks stored for yourself when you are your way up.

When checked on development with one of our local guide, his comment was, “We don’t want any cable cars to come in, or more development, as the entire ecosystem will get disturbed and the tourists will spoil our nature, the real beauty and serenity of this place. Nature is what we worship, this is a trash-free zone and open defecation is not appreciated. We all are sensitive and follow some norms which probably tourists won’t!!”

That’s our living root and message to humanity.. to put a little stop to overdevelopment!!

PS: Tours to Meghalaya are organised by Transforming travels. Chandani Agarwal, a travel enthusiast has converted her passion into a regular occupation.