Mawlynnong
Mawlynnong is a small village
situated around 90 km from Shillong in the East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya and is
also known as God's own Garden. It was declared as the cleanest village
in Asia in 2003 by Discovery India which certainly makes it one of the most
popular tourist destinations in the Indian state. Mawlynnong village is a
community-based ecotourism initiative where the entire community made
collective efforts in making and maintaining the cleanliness of the village.
Mawlynnong offers some of the
most picturesque natural beauty with lush green valleys, crystal clear water in
the river, an abundance of flowering orchids hanging from the trees and
extremely clean roads which makes this small village a worth visiting
destination for tourists visiting Meghalaya. Mawlynnong village also offers
pleasant weather throughout the year and especially during monsoon, the village
tends to extend its elegance which makes the visitors feels like heaven on
earth. Apart from its cleanliness, Mawlynnong is also famous for its living
root bridges, tribal locals having a 100% literacy rate with exceptional women
empowerment and offering warm hospitality to the visitors.
Matrilineal society: As per tradition the
females here are quite privileged as the Mawlynnong property and wealth are passed
from the mother to the youngest of her daughters, who also keeps the mother's
surname.
Mawlynnong is known for its cleanliness. The
waste collected in the dustbins made of bamboo is directed to a pit and then
used as manure. The travel magazine Discover India declared the village as the
cleanest in Asia in 2003, and the cleanest in India in the year 2005.
Umngot river/Dawki river: While visiting Mawlynnong village from Shillong, you will
come across the Umngot/Dawki river
which is known as the cleanest river in
India. The water is so clean and clear that the boats seem like floating on the river bed, which is a once in a lifetime experience.
Bophill Falls: While travelling to Mawlynnong from Dawki, you will be delighted to witness an amazing piece of natural beauty in the form of a waterfall known as Bophill falls. The water falls at a very incredible force to form a river in the Sylhet border area of Bangladesh, making the water appears milky white in colour.
Umgrem Falls: Also known as Dawki falls, it is another waterfall situated near the border Road while travelling to Mawlynnong village which is considered as a hidden gem within the Meghalaya which is highly popular among the tourists.
is a popular attraction at Mawlynnong
village made up of cane and bamboo which
offers complete view of Indo Bangladesh
border along with the village.
Mawlynnong
Waterfall: There is another mid-size waterfall within
the village itself which is considered as an amazing picnic spot for the
tourists where they can enjoy a peaceful afternoon with the tingling sound of
the waterfall in the background.
Living
root bridge and Riwai Village: After you have visited all the popular places in the Mawlynnong
village, visit Riwai village which is situated just 2 Km away. The village is
well known for its beautiful trekking through the rainforests. However, the
most popular tourist destination in the village is the living root bridge. It
is a small Bridge designed in the form of trees and made up of aerial roots of
rubber fig trees for the purpose of crossing the river.
Mawlynnong offers pleasant weather throughout
the year and this is why tourists can visit the cleanest village in Asia at any
time of the year. However, monsoon is considered the best time to visit the
place as the village turns lavishly green and picturesque which provides an
unearthly feeling. During September-November, a number of festivals are
celebrated around the village.
