Living Root Bridge
Long before the accessibility of modern-day building materials, the Khasi people conceived a smart method to navigate the turbulent waterways and connect isolated villages through living root bridges, locally known as "Jing Kieng Jri" in the Khasi language.
A living root bridge is formed by guiding the pliable roots of the Ficus elastica tree across a stream or river and then allowing the roots to grow and strengthen over time until they can hold the weight of a human being. The young roots are sometimes tied or twisted together and are often encouraged to combine with one another via the process of inosculation.
As the Ficus elastica tree is well suited to anchoring itself to steep slopes and rocky surfaces, it is not difficult to encourage its roots to take hold on the opposite sides of river banks. As they are made from living, growing, organisms, the useful lifespan of any given living root bridge is variable.
It is thought that, under ideal conditions, a root bridge can last for many hundreds of years. As long as the tree from which it is formed remains healthy, the bridge will naturally self-renew and self-strengthen as its component roots grow thicker.
ROOT BRIDGE IN MAWLYNNONG
It is one of the natural wonders of Meghalaya and among the best places to visit in Mawlynnong.
To reach the bridge, one has to trek from the Mawlynnong village. However, the visual rewards will be so great that visitors will forget about all the discomfort that faced during the trek.
The trek to the Jingmaham Living Root Bridge consists of approximately 1200 steps.
DOUBLE DECKER ROOT BRIDGE
The amazing Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge at Nongriat town near Cherrapunji entices nature lovers with the chance to see the more than 150-year-old man-made natural wonder. The local Khasi clan members built the second level after an unprecedented monsoon season made water level reach at the first level.
The trek to the double-decker root bridge starts from Tyrna Village and is three kilometers. long. It has approximately 3,500 stairs and descends 2,400 feet.
BEST TIME TO VISIT LIVING ROOT BRIDGE
The weather is pleasant all year round. However, it is advisable to avoid the monsoon season as Meghalaya experiences heavy rainfall and the trek might be a bit slippery.
