Village, east khasi hills district, meghalaya · AI-written from Wikipedia, not independently verified
Discovering Nongriat: Home of the Living Root Bridges
A glimpse into the unique bio-engineering and natural heritage of East Khasi Hills.
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Tags: Nongriat · Meghalaya · Living Root Bridges · East Khasi Hills · Khasi Culture · Double Decker Bridge
Nongriat is a village situated in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, in north-eastern India. The community is widely recognized for its unique living root bridges, which are created by weaving the aerial roots of banyan trees across stream-filled gorges.
The village is connected to the neighboring village of Tyrna through a succession of stone steps located below the Cherrapunji-Laitkynsew bridle-path. This remote settlement showcases centuries-old traditions of the Khasi people, who continue to maintain these functional bio-engineered structures.
The Living Root Bridges of Nongriat
The village features three functional root bridges, which are crafted by hand by the Khasi people. This process involves intertwining roots from banyan trees on opposite sides of a gorge to form a sturdy suspension structure.
Among these, the most prominent is a double-decker suspension bridge known as Jingkieng Nongriat. In addition to the natural root bridges, there is also a hybrid structure in the area made from a combination of roots and steel wire.
Global Recognition and Media Features
Jingkieng Nongriat, or the 'Double Decker' bridge, has gained international attention through various media appearances. It was featured in a 2004 documentary by Osamu Monden for Asahi TV in Japan.
In 2008, the bridge was also showcased on a global scale in the 'Human Planet' series produced by BBC Wales. These programs highlighted the architectural significance of the bridges to a worldwide audience.
Surrounding Natural Landmarks
The area surrounding Nongriat is home to significant natural features, including another functioning living root bridge located upstream from the main village site.
Nearby, the waterfall of Ka Likai offers a magnificent cascade. While it is located near Nongriat, it is best viewed from the neighboring village of Laitkynsew, particularly during the autumn monsoon season.
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