Endowed with unspoiled natural magnificence, Mawlynnong, is situated in the East Khasi district, 90 km from Shillong. The town earned the title of Asia's cleanest village in 2003. Climb up to the multiple tree houses, constructed out of locally cultivated bamboo, to get the greatly mesmerizing perspective of neighbouring Bangladesh and ravines and valleys.
There isn't much else to do here but stroll around the serene village. Take the opportunity to communicate with the residents and savour some native cuisines. Once you've had your load of this town, explore allures such as the popular root bridges, Nohkalikai Falls and much more, that is situated at a short distance from Mawlynnong.
The road towards Mawlynnong passes through some of the greatly stunning landscapes in Meghalaya. You'll observe wildernesses, mountains, ravines, valleys and cascades. As you reach nearer to the town, the road will become slender and the bamboo jungles will start. And shortly you'll be at the town, which is even extra gorgeous than its foreword.
What makes Mawlynnong Village Unique
Cleanliness
Cleanliness is not merely a morality, but instead a lifestyle in this town. Since 2007, each and every house of this town have usable toilets and the entire region is furnished with bamboo dustbins.
Every trash output and junk commodity, even withered leaves go into the dustbin. Plastic pouches and smoking are strictly banned here. Those who neglect to obey these rules are charged extremely heavily.
This town furthermore converts its own manure from the trash collected. People moreover clean streets and plant trees along with maintaining their own houses clean.
Tribal Locals
The Khasi tribe is the greatest allure of this tiny town. This is a popular tribe and is well ahead of the patriarchal beliefs. In this tribe, youngsters inherit their mother's surnames and property is furthermore upheld through the matrilineal lines.
This town with all these characteristics demonstrates that women empowerment is totally feasible if people are encouraged reasonably.
Living Roots Bridges
This natural marvel has been proclaimed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The living route bridges are a miracle in themselves. The bridges unite the aerial roots of one massive rubber tree and create a bridge hanging above the stream. These bridges take years to self construct and can hold 50 to 70 individuals at a period.
Local Cuisine
The cuisine is an extremely crucial portion of the culture and tradition of any location. The considerably remarkable characteristic of the regional cuisine is that all of it is prepared exclusively from organically cultivated vegetables.
Even in the non-vegetarian preparations, the meat that is utilized comes from house-bred birds and animals. There is an entire range of non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes to savour here.
Places to Visit in Mawlynnong
Travellers will be fascinated with beautiful perspectives of orderly organized thatched Khasi houses, small flower and vegetable lawns outside each house and gorgeous bamboo baskets that are actually trash bins and situated every few metres in the town. Read on to understand additional about some of the best places to visit in this village.
Mawlynnong Village
The supreme enchantment of Mawlynnong is the town region, which lives up to its title of prevailing the cleanest village you'll ever come across. Systematically arranged dwellings, magnificent lawns and lush courtyards, and the general ambience of a pristine and pure village enable travellers to be transported to an entirely unique realm here.
Communicating with the residents is an incredible experience as well in this village, who are always greeting with details about their way of life and insights into how they preserve their town.
Dawki/Umngot River
Dawki is a village situated right along the India-Bangladesh border and is experienced by travellers on their way to the town. The Dawki River, furthermore recognized as Umngot River, is the primary allure here for its magnificent crystal clear water that makes the boats on the water seem as if they are gliding in mid-air.
The spectacular magnificence around the river makes for some stunning camera-worthy times, with grand mountains and natural marvels encircling the river's banks. The Dawki river furthermore creates the boundary between the Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills with a sole span suspension bridge that hangs over the river.
Balancing Rock
The Balancing Rock is a historical layout that comprises of a vast boulder precariously stabilized over a much slighter rock. A prominent traveler allure, the rock is encircled by a wired fence at the bottom and is the topic of several images snatched by travelers every day.
This unique natural miracle has been around for eras and has endured the test of time and climate. According to the regional tribe, the layout was a shrine of the Khasi community before Christianity was embraced in the town. Irrespective of its religious importance, the Balancing Rock creates for a remarkable observable splendour.
Mawlynnong Waterfall
The Mawlynnong Waterfall is discovered through the jungles on the way from Dawki to the Mawlynnong town. It is a gorgeous region that prevails untouched from human touch and carries a glory of fascinating spectacles worth relishing all around.
Travelers will discover themselves enamoured with the sounds of birds chirping and the breezes gushing through the huge verdure, establishing an intriguing ambience. The water from the cascades flows into the stream nearby that divides India and Bangladesh. There are furthermore two bridges here.
Jingmaham Living Root Bridge
The Jingmaham Living Root Bridge has been established with the assistance of an assortment of nature's own techniques and human endeavours, concluding in a generation that is rarely discovered anywhere else.
People utilize the bridge to cross over the serene and tranquil waters of the river that flows underneath, and the whole layout shapes a fascinating sight when glimpsed from a distance.
Travellers are needed to hike up an expanse across rough steps to reach the bridge, and while it may not be well-suited for everyone, getting the chance to wander across this generation of the regional Khasi tribe is really an experience worth trying.
Brun Khongmen View Point
An additional incredible allure of Mawlynnong is the Brun Khongmen perspective, which is situated at an elevation of 85 metres on top of a tree in the Riwai town. Beautiful, apparent perspectives of the Bisnakandi region in Bangladesh can be admired from here after climbing a bamboo path that directs to the perspective.
There are numerous additional bamboo watchtowers in the town that extends incredible perspectives of unique regions in the area and are available to explore.
How to Reach Mawlynnong
By Road: This town is 90 km away from Shillong city, the capital of Meghalaya. Taxi and private cars are accessible from the capital city to reach Mawlynnong village.
By Rail: The closest railhead to this town is Guwahati Railway Station. It takes around 5 hrs to reach this village from Guwahati. Taxies are accessible from the Guwahati railway station to Mawlynnong.
By Air: The closest airport is Umroi airport situated in Shillong city. From the airport, you can hire a cab or taxi to reach this town. Guwahati airport is another prominent airport situated close to the town.
Best Time to Visit
The Best time to visit Mawlonnong village is Monsoon. During the monsoon, the cascades of Meghalaya are full of water which make them look marvellous. May to July is the best visitor season in Meghalaya if you wish to avoid the crowd and seasonal rush then post-monsoon or winter is another favourable time for you.
