Mawlynnong, Meghalaya, is the cleanest village in Asia. Also called as God’s own garden, the village is worth visiting.Are you planning for a trip but confused about where to go? Mawlynnong can be a great option.
The village acquired its ‘Cleanest village in Asia’ title in 2003, given by Discover India. The name of the village originates from the Khasi words “maw” and ‘lynnong’, which means large rocks with natural hollows .God’s own garden attracts a large number of tourists every year and is known for its cleanliness across the globe. However, there are many more reasons why you should plan to visit your village on the next trip. Monsoon is considered as the best time to visit this place.
5 Reasons To Visit Mawlynnong
Absolute Cleanliness
Cleanliness is one of the prominent reasons for visitors to explore this place. Neatness is not a mere habit, it’s the way of life for people there. Mawlynnong has had houses with all of them having functional toilets since 2007. Plastic is banned in the village and those who use it have to pay a heavy fine. People in the village use bamboo dustbins to collect waste and convert it into manure.
Khasi Tribe in Mawlynnong
The lifestyle of the Khasi tribe is worth experiencing and is inspiring. While we are still stuck with the patriarchal social structure, the Khasi people are having a matrilineal society. Children here adopt their mother’s surname and women have got property rights and the right to marry as per their own will. The village has a remarkable literacy rate of 100%.
Living Root Bridges
Another reason to visit Mawlynnong is the living root bridges which are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mawlynnong has bridges that are constructed by weaving the roots of huge Rubber trees. The village has single and double-decker living root bridges.
Sky View Point
The Sky View Point provides a panoramic view of Bangladesh to visitors. The bamboo tower is 85 feet high and provides extraordinary natural views. It is also called the Nohwet Viewpoint. The entry fee for the viewpoint is Rs 1o per person. The amazing structure was designed by Rishop Khongthongreh, who happens to be a school teacher.
Delicious Food of Mawlynnong
Any trip is not fulfilling without mouth-watering and different varieties of food. Traditional tribal food is served in Mawlynnong. All the food here is prepared with organically grown veggies and local spices. The village has different varieties for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
Mawlynnong can be reached by various modes of transportation. Consider the best alternative per your convenience :
- Buses from Cherrapunji and Shillong.
- Guwahati is the nearest railway station and is 172 km away.
- The nearest airport is Shillong,78 km away.
Happy traveling!
