Meghalaya, North East
The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya
Home to the two wettest places on Earth, Meghalaya also boasts of the marvel of living root bridges.
Living root bridges are the result of synergy between man and nature. Living in a place that receives nearly 39 ft of rain in a year, locals have to rely on their ingenuity to survive and thrive.
One result of that ingenuity is the living root bridges.
Initially, villagers built bridges made of Bamboo which gave way in the face of heavy rain and storms. Faced with this problem, the indigenous Khasi people found a way around it by taking nature’s help. They used the aerial roots of the Indian rubber tree and twisted them to form bridges.
Although it sounds amazing, the process is a long and tedious one. These bridges take between 10-30 years to form. Once formed, however, they keep growing stronger and live for centuries.
The oldest living root bridge has been traced as being built more than 500 years ago!
Typically, the ‘construction’ of the bridge starts with planting a tree on each side of the riverbank. The roots are then threaded and twisted to form a makeshift bridge which helps direct the roots over to the other side. Stones are placed on the bridge to create a path and once ready, the bridges grow on their own.
The images of these bridges form the postcard for tourism in Meghalaya. However, the most iconic bridge is the double-decker bridge in Nongriat.
The Umshiang double-decker root bridge, also known as the Jingkien Nongriat is one of a kind with two parallel bridges – one on top of the other. Built across the Umshiang river, it attracts tourists from all over the world.
Getting to this bridge though, is no easy task. Over 3000 steps through wild forests, lush greenery, waterfalls and the incessant sounds of nature take you to this wonder finally. The feeling of being in this spot, with the sunlight streaming through the trees, the chirping of birds, the air heavy with the scent of lush greenery and the river flowing sinuously, is unmatchable and transports one into a feeling of utopia.
The strenuous trek is very worth it as it leads to the sight of this age old bridge. The practice of making these bridges however, seems to be dying down, as people shift to easier and quicker methods of construction. Some locals as well as the Government are trying to keep this dying art alive, as it is a major tourist attraction. A step on these bridges is not just a step on a mode of transmission, but on the blood and sweat of the forefathers of the local tribes.
Metal and mortar may be faster and more convenient, but cannot replace the charm and tradition that each bridge encompasses.
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