The seemingly unstoppable rain had finally decided to put a brake on as we reached the village of Kudeng Rim. The hamlet itself was shrouded in a thick veil of clouds. With the cloud sheathing our visibility and the road mud-spattered, we tiptoed towards the sole tea shop. The piping hot tea was no less than nectar, rejuvenating us from a bumpy ride and gearing up for the hike ahead.
After the much-needed tea break, we embarked on a hike to experience the living root bridge of the Kudeng Rim village. The path leading to the root bridge is nothing more than hundreds of craggy, moss-covered steps, which have turned slippery thanks to the heavy rainfall. The path passes through a jungle. As such, we were accompanied by big, bright butterflies, weird-looking spiders, mushrooms of various shapes and sizes, snails, and so on.
Climbing down the stairs was indeed an act of balancing. We had to watch our steps and tread carefully on the rocky steps. After more than an hour, we reached the bottom and beheld the wonder that is the living root bridge with a waterfall flowing beneath.
Along with its countless waterfalls, the Living Root Bridge is one of the most fascinating features of Meghalaya. It is an enthralling example of a successful collaboration between nature and humanity.
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What are the living root bridges:
Locally known as ‘jing krieng jri’, the living root bridges of Meghalaya are the extraordinary handiwork of the Khasi and Jaintia tribes. A fantastic example of bio-engineering, they are created by recurring inosculation of the aerial roots of Ficus elastica. They are grown over a span of 15 to 30 years and lasts for several centuries.
History of the Living Root Bridges:
It is hard to pinpoint the historical origin of the living root bridges. Interestingly, the Khasi legends divulge that their ancestors climbed down a living root ladder that connected heaven and earth.
The first historical record of the living root bridges of Meghalaya is found in the accounts of the Scottish Orientalist and geographer Henry Yule. He published his findings in 1844 in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.
Where are the living root bridges found in Meghalaya:
The living root bridges are mostly concentrated in the West Jaintia and East Khasi Hills. In West Jaintia, they are found in Kudeng Rim, Nongbareh, Shnongpdeng, Khongla, Padu etc. In West Khasi Hills, the bridges exist in the vicinity of Sohra such as in the villages of Nongriat, Rangthylliang, Kongthong, Mawlynnong, and Mawkyrnot. Nongriat is renowned for its age-old double-decker root bridge, while Rangthylliang boasts the longest root bridge in the world.
How are the living root bridges built:
A living root bridge is made with the malleable aerial roots of ficus elastica, a type of fig tree. These aerial roots have the proclivity to attach themselves to other nearby objects and entwine with one another through recurring inosculation. This unique feature helps in harnessing them into bridges over a river or a gorge.
The living root bridges are created in several ways. Some are built by manipulating the pliable aerial roots entirely by hand without employing the usage of scaffolds. Often, the docile aerial roots are grown through the hollowed trunks of areca nut palms. In this way, the roots easily preserve their essential nutrition and receive protection from the truant weather conditions of Meghalaya.
Commonly, the assemblage of the young roots of ficus trees is structurally supported by bamboo scaffolds until they become self-reliant. The bamboo poles are replaced periodically owing to their own gradual deterioration as well as the steady increase in the thickness of the roots. Seldom, bridges are constructed by training the young roots across already existing steel wires or suspension bridges.
Gradually, more aerial roots are inosculated to the original root system. Over the next 15 to 30 years, the root system becomes strong and stable enough to support human and material weight without the help of any scaffold. In contrast to the present-day steel and concrete bridges, these living root bridges turn more robust and resilient with time and use.
What is the purpose of the living root bridges:
Since time immemorial, the Khasi and Jaintia tribes have developed a unique and sustainable relationship with nature. Their intimate connection with nature is best demonstrated through the living root bridges.
Geographically, the Khasi and Jaintia hills experience torrential rainfall for the better part of the year. Such incessant downpours result in the swelling of the rain-fed streams and rivers, rendering them insurmountable. Crossing these overflowing streams turns into an arduous task for the inhabitants of the isolated villages of Khasi and Jaintia hills. Neither the bamboo nor wooden bridges will do the trick here as they would rot and be swept away easily, nor will the steel and concrete bridges fill the bill owing to their huge expense and susceptibility to rust and damage.
Therefore, the tribal people came up with the ingenious genesis of the living root bridges. In Meghalaya, where rain is the norm, the living root bridges seem to answer all the questions. They are handmade, practical, self-sufficient, cost next to nothing, existed for centuries, and at the same time, they are visually pleasing. The living root bridge is perhaps the finest example of a successful human–nature partnership. It plays a pivotal role in maintaining rural connectivity throughout Meghalaya.
Along with their immense utility, the living root bridges have also created an avenue for livelihood for local people through tourism. Countless visitors from around the globe come every year to Meghalaya to check out this fascinating example of human–nature affiliation.
Environmental sustainability and the living root bridges:
At present, when the effects of global warming are omnipresent throughout the world, sustainability has appeared to be the shield to defend our planet. Environmental sustainability emphasizes the responsible usage of natural resources, reduction of pollution, and protection of ecosystems. Needless to say, Meghalaya’s living root bridges epitomize environmental sustainability.
With exceptional durability, minimal material cost, collective community involvement across multiple generations, and support to adjoining plant and animal ecosystems, Meghalaya’s living root bridges offer a sublime lesson to environmental sustainability. They are a fine specimen of renewable, eco-friendly architecture, practised successfully for centuries. They bridge the gap between two villages, between the individual and the community, between several generations, and of course, between climate change and environmental sustainability,
Important FAQs:
How can I reach Meghalaya?
By air: Meghalaya’s airport is situated at Umroi, 30 km from the city centre of Shillong. Two flights from Kolkata fly to Shillong every day except Sunday. However, the flights often get cancelled due to bad weather.
We would advise taking a direct flight to Guwahati, as they fly regularly on time.
From Guwahati, Shillong is a 3-hour drive (around 100 km).
By train: Guwahati is the nearest rail station to Shillong. You can reach Guwahati by 12345 Saraighat Express, 15959 Kamrup Express, 13181 Kaziranga Express, and 13175 Kanchanjungha Express.
You can get a shared taxi for Shillong from Guwahati’s Paltan Bazar at INR 300-400 per head. You can also book cabs, the price of which varies between INR 3,500 to INR 4,500.
How can I reach Sohra/Cherrapunjee?
Sohra is just 54 km away from the state capital, Shillong. By road, the distance can be covered in 2 hours. However, on weekends and holidays, the road is affected by heavy traffic. So, if you are planning to visit Sohra on weekends and holidays, leave Shillong at the break of dawn.
How can I reach Jowai?
From Shillong, Jowai lies at a distance of around 65 km. It takes around 2.5 hours to reach Jowai from Shillong. Amlarem is another 30 km from Jowai.
What is the best time to visit Meghalaya?
Meghalaya can be visited around the year. But. If your goal is to witness the monsoon magic and waterfalls in their full glory, you ought to plan for the months of June to September. However, take necessary precautions as monsoon rain in Meghalaya is on a whole different level. We visited in the second week of June, and we experienced both rain and sun.
Where can I stay in Sohra/Cherrapunjee?
There is no dearth of hotels in Cherrapunjee. From lavish resorts to simple homestays, you get it all. However, the price of accommodation is substantially hiked during the monsoon and winter months as most tourists flock during this time. Even basic rooms will cost you around INR 3K to 3.5K. While mid-range hotels charge around INR 6.5K to 7K, the price at luxury resorts ranges between INR 12K to 14K.
In Cherrapunjee, you can opt for Polo Orchid Resort, Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort, Jiva Resort, Saimika Resort, and Lamisa Inn.
Where can I stay in Amlarem?
The only reliable hotel in Amlarem is Cord’z Inn Guest House. The rooms are comfortable and provided with basic amenities.
Where can I eat in Sohra/Cherrapunjee?
You can eat in Orange Roots (which is a pure vegetarian restaurant) and Golden Spoon.
Where can I eat in Amlarem?
Kibo restaurant is the only fair option to eat out in Amlarem.
Extra tips for visiting the living root bridges in Meghalaya?
- Most of the root bridges require moderate to difficult hiking. In most cases, you need to climb down more or less 1000 stairs. In Nongriat, there are approximately 3,500 steps which means you need to take around 7,000 steps in total!
- To prepare yourself for the hikes, practice brisk walking and leg exercises.
- Wear sturdy shoes for the hikes. We advise opting for clogs, as they are fantastic for the wet, slippery stairs.
- Ditch the flowy clothes and opt for the comfortable ones which will allow you to move, walk, or jump freely.
