North East Odyssey: Part Twelve

Day Ten (03.12.2021): Exploring Mawlynnong

We woke up early morning, got ready and had a delicious breakfast. We got into our bus and started our sightseeing journey. Today we are driving to Mawlynnong, the cleanest village in Asia, situated in the East Khasi Hills. We reached the base of Riwai village at around 11AM. We had a washroom break before ascending to the living root bridge. The memorable part here was a kid asking 10 rupees to each one of us for using the washroom. He did not leave the spot until each of us had given the money.

Living Root Bridge

Riwai Living Root Bridge is a natural root bridge situated at Riwai village near Mawlynnong. Also known as Jingmaham Living Root Bridge, this single decker bridge is a 300 years old manmade bridge built across a stream by intertwining the aerial roots of rubber trees around a betel tree trunk. The roots keep growing out and entwining the trunk and the bridge is elongated to the desired destination taking about 10-15 years to completion. The roots thicken over time and the bridge is further strengthened with stones, sticks, leaves, bamboos and other items serving the purpose for hundreds of years. This is the only means for the villagers to cross the streams to reach the other side. We had to hike upwards through a steep path of jagged stones, walk for quite sometime till we reached the natural bridge. We passed by a series of stalls selling pineapple, watermelon, etc. Finally we reached the bridge after 11.30AM. Everyone got engrossed in clicking photos, selfies and capturing videos. It felt like walking in the heart of a big tree. The river water was crystal clear. We traversed through it by hopping from one large stone to another. Having filled our eyes and heart with this natural wonder, we got back hiking through the same path. We had a treat of pineapples slices sprinkled with pepper. And then we drove off to the Mawlynnong village for the village tour plus lunch.

Mawlynnong Village

Mawlynnong is a village in the East Khasi Hills district, known for its cleanliness. The waste is collected in the dustbins made of bamboo, directed to a pit and then used as manure. 

A community initiative mandates that all residents should participate in cleaning up the village. Smoking and use of polythene is banned while rainwater harvesting is encouraged. The moment our bus was parked and we started walking towards our lunch destination, it felt like we have landed in a foreign country. Rightly said as Gods Own Garden, we were actually experiencing the walk in God's garden. Walking on the so cleaned road, with beautiful houses surrounding by a lot of trees and flowers on both sides, felt like a red carpet entry. 

A major landmark of Mawlynnong Village, the Church of Epiphany is a 100-year-old structure that still holds an old-world charm. Encircled by narrow stone paths with plants bearing orange flowers reach out to the Church, which is a black and white structure.

We reached the 'Ha La I Trep' restaurant for lunch at 12:30PM. This restaurant was under construction, there were brick walls, yet to be cemented. Food prepared on the chulhas was as usual simple but delicious. It included aloo sabzi, rice, dal and tomato chutney. The chutneys were delicious at every restaurant in North East. 

Having satiated our tummies with the village food, we walked our way back to the parking lot. Shweta and I managed to climb the Machan (Tree House) for the view of Bangladesh plains. The Bamboos were tightly held together with rope the entire structure was extremely sturdy. 

We reached the parking lot and had a Crispello. Some were engaged in shopping in the nearby stalls. Then we drove towards the balancing rock and reached there at 01:40PM.

Balancing Rock

It is located on the outskirts of the village of Mawlynnong. Locally known as Maw Ryngkew Sharatia, it is actually a huge boulder that stands at a peculiar angle on another rock. How the gigantic stone balances itself at such an odd angle remains a mystery. Enclosed by a wired fence, the structure has remained like that for ages and no cyclone or storm has been able to disturb the formation ever. We had a few clicks here and then continued our journey to the Dawki river in the West Jantia Hills.

Read next: North East Odyssey: Part Thirteen