‘God’s
Is God’s Own
Garden
Mawlynnong is a small village located across the scenic Indo-Bangla Border. It is visited by tourists, both national and international, for its beautiful location; on the East Khasi Hills, overlooking the flat plains ofBangladesh .
Mawlynnong is a small village located across the scenic Indo-Bangla Border. It is visited by tourists, both national and international, for its beautiful location; on the East Khasi Hills, overlooking the flat plains of
What’s magical about this place is its serenity and an
inexplicable sense of calm and peace. This is a result of the quiet ambience
coupled with fresh air, mesmerizing views, steep climbs, flowing water and
colourful flowers.
The people of Mawlynnong have taken the initiative to
promote it as an eco-tourism destination and have left no stone unturned.
Mawlynnong’s locals, who belong to the Khasi tribe, ensure
that their environment is clean and their way of living is sustainable to the
environment.
The impeccably clean pathways of Mawlynnong greet the
visitors with boulders of rocks at the sides and bamboo dust-bins at regular
intervals.
Hence, Mawlynnong has earned the titles of ‘The Cleanest
Village in India ’ and ‘The
Cleanest Village in Asia ’.
But what captures everybody’s imagination are the
meticulously and carefully constructed ‘Living Root Bridges’. These bridges are made of Bamboo and Rubber tree roots, which are intertwined by the Khasis over years. These bridges are mainly suspended above the numerous fresh water
streams which lazily flow underneath. Besides the bridges, there also are marvelous ‘Living Root Ladders’ which adjoin the steep cliff of Mawlynnong towards
One must also climb atop the “Sky View”; a tall bamboo tower
which rises 60 odd feet above Mawlynnong and gives an exceptional view of Bangladesh
below. The spectacular scene from the tower’s zenith is completely
breath-taking! This viewing platform too is a consequence of the foresight and
labour of the Khasis.
Natural wonders like this “balancing rock” and “shark’s jaw”
also await travelers in Mawlynnong.
Another thing to look forward to is the Au Natural
accommodation available in Mawlynnong. No fancy hotels and no pool resorts!
Accommodation is offered by local villagers who are more than pleased to
welcome guests to their houses.
But if you are willing to enjoy some alone time with the
beautiful ambience around, there is a fascinating tree-house accommodation in
Mawlynnong, made from Bamboo and Thatch. From one of its two houses, you also
have a view of a small waterfall! You can sit in the verandah, sipping a hot
cup of tea and enjoy the birds chirping and the trees swirling with the winds.
You couldn’t have asked for more…
The sound of heavily pouring rain, the fast gushing river
water coupled with the thicket of trees and the natural pathways cutting through
the forest, makes it a perfect holiday destination; especially for people who
want to escape the noise, hustle and bustle of big cities and towns.
This beautiful village is situated 90 kms away from capital
city Shillong. Though the best time to visit Mawlynnong is from October to
April, you can plan your trip in the monsoon season to enjoy the rains and the
resulting greenery.
Other cities close to Mawlynnong are Cherrapunji and
Guwahati. From here, you can book a jeep to carry you to your destination.
We recommend you hire a guide to take you to the most exotic
cliffs, forests, pathways and people of Mawlynnong.
There’s so much more you can discover only by visiting the
place. It is an abode of nature and truly, God’s Own Garden
Do I need to say more? I’m positive that I don’t.
Mawlynnong is the best place for nature trails and casual
swims. Escape into the lap of nature and bask in its beauty. We can bet that
you’ll return with lots of happy memories!
Picture Courtesy: Timothy Allen
Picture Courtesy: Timothy Allen
