The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya: Nature's Marvel
There are bridges around the world that are known to be human’s finest creations! But the natural marvel of Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya is mindblowing. Read to know more...
Deepika Joshi
The whole idea of Meghalaya’s living bridges came into the picture some two centuries ago (180 years precisely) when veterans of Khasi clan living in Meghalaya put rubber tree roots into hollow canes of Areca nut palm that met halfway across the stream.
The roots were nurtured and cared properly until they grew enough to reach the opposite bank, get completely entwined with each other, and make themselves capable enough to carry heavy weight.
Some of the interesting facts about these bridges are:
The Living Root Bridges are made from rubber tree roots also known as Ficus elastica tree.
Some of the root bridges are over 100 feet long and take 10 to 15 years to attain the perfect shape.
Once fully grown, these roots last for as long as 500 years. While some of the roots decay because of their continuous association of water, others grow and make up for the decayed, thus providing the required stability to the bridge.
Of all the Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya, the double-decker root bridge in Cherrapunji and the single-decker root bridge in Shillong are the unique bridges in the world and make for prime attraction in the Northeast.
Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Sites.