NONGRIAT

Nongriat is famous for the living root bridges of the banyan tree.

Double Decker Living Root Bridge Photo by Rose Kharsyntiew

Nongriat village is located in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. With vast gorges across villages, locals figured out how to make "living" bridges out of tree roots and fashioned the roots to grow along a direction over time. This particular one is the famous “Double Decker Living Root Bridge”, which is not to be missed out.

Interesting fact: These bridges can take 10 - 15 years to grow and they get stronger with every passing year. They can survive for up to 500 years and support as many as 50 people at a time.

To reach the Double Decker Living Root bridge, one has to be in Nongriat you will have to walk down approximately 3000 steps from Tyrna Village. Living root bridges are one of a kind. They are the traditional architecture of the Khasi, created by weaving the roots of the Ficus Elastica tree from one generation to another generation until the bridge is completed. Most living root bridges are located in the deep forest valley in the midst of nature. Ahead of the double-decker bridge, there is an intensive trekking route that leads to the Rainbow Falls, known for its turquoise pool and giant boulders.

Distance

From Shillong - 65 km.

From Guwahati Airport - 179 km.

From Umroi Airport - 91 km.