Cherapunjee alias Sohra in the Meghalaya state of India is considered one of the wettest places on the Planet Earth (or ‘The Wettest Place’). People in Cherapunjee and surrounding areas have mastered making tree roots into bridges. There are many such bridges in these areas. The Oldest such Tree root bridge today is believed to be more than 500 years old.
A Double-Decker living root bridge at Cherapunjee.
The roots of Ficus elastica trees are used to make the root bridges. Ficus elastica trees have a secondary set of roots way above their trunk. Locals patiently join these roots. They use Betel nut tree trunks (cut into half over the length of the Betel trunk) and make a root guidance system to make these roots grow toward the shores. They also make bridge spans and railings from the roots of these trees! It normally takes 10 to 15 years to make such bridges, which are strong enough for people to use.
There is a Double-Decker living root bridge at Umshiang, which may be the only one in the world.
Cherrapunji is credited with the world record for rainfall in both a single month (366 inches in July 1861) and a calendar year (1,041.75 inches between August 1960 and July 1961)
Nohsngithiang Falls is a beautiful nearby fall in the East Khasi Hills district.
How Do I Go to Cherapunjee or Sohra, the Place of Living Root Bridges?
Living Root Bridges of Cherapunjee can be accessed from Shillong or Guwahati. Shillong, The capital of Meghalaya, is around 55 kilometers from Cherapunjee and takes approximately 1 hour to travel by car. There are frequent buses to Cherapunjee from Guwahati and Shillong.
There is a Domestic airport with IATA code SHL at Umroi, 30 kilometers from Shillong. The distance from this airport at Umroi to Cherapunjee is 78 kilometers, which takes around 1.5 hours by car.
The nearest International airport, ‘Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport’ with IATA code ‘GAU’ at Guwahati, is around 150 kilometers from Cherapunjee. It takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours to cover this distance.
The nearest railway station to Cherapunjee is the one at Guwahati, the capital of Assam.
Best Time to Visit
September and October months, after the heavy Monsoon spell, are usually the best time to visit this place.
