Mawlynnong- The Cleanest Village of Asia
Mawlynnong is a tiny village in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya, in the East Khasi Hills district. It’s famous for being incredibly clean and is sometimes called “God’s Own Garden.” In 2003, Mawlynnong was named the cleanest village in Asia. It is about 90 kilometers away from Shillong.
The village is mainly inhibited by the Khasi tribe and there are around 100 families living in this village. The village is filled with green plantations all around. Waterfalls flow into small streams, and flowers hang from trees and bushes, making the village look beautiful. The place stays clean and close to nature. Everyone in the village shares the job of keeping it clean. The village have bamboo trash cans everywhere which shows the villagers care about cleanliness. Keeping things clean is a long-held tradition and a way of life for everyone in the village.
When to visit
The weather here is pleasant all year. But the best time to visit is during the rainy season from June to September. During this time, the flowers bloom, and everything becomes green and beautiful.
Why to visit
Mawlynnong village is renowned for its pristine and captivating environment. The air here is fresh and pure. One will find colorful flowers and plants adorning every corner, creating a serene and picturesque atmosphere. The villagers take great pride in maintaining cleanliness, making it a peaceful and pollution-free place to visit. The natural beauty of Mawlynnong is a testament to the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. It offers visitors a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
How to visit
To reach Mawlynnong one has to first arrive in Shillong and can start the journey from there. From Shillong one can hire a cab to reach the village. The distance from Shillong to this village is around 80kms. But roads are well connected to this village and it will take roughly around two and half hours to reach there.
The nearest airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. One can travel in the shared cabs available outside the airport to reach Shillong which will take around 3 hours. The nearest railway station is also the Guwahati railway station which is around 105 kms away from Shillong. One can hire a cab from Guwahati to reach Shillong.
Things to do
Explore the Living Root Bridges: Meghalaya is famous for its living root bridges. The most popular one in the Mawlynnong village is the Single Decker Living Root Bridge. These bridges are a result of the local Khasi tribe’s traditional method of training the roots of rubber trees to create natural bridges.
Admire the Scenic Views: This village has amazing sights of green hills and forests all around. One can take a walk in the village to enjoy the lovely natural scenery.
Experience the Sky View: At Mawlynnong, one can climb the Sky View Tower, which is a bamboo watchtower. It provides panoramic views of the village, the living root bridges, and the neighboring Bangladesh plains.
Visit the Balancing Rock: Mawlynnong is home to a large balancing rock that is perched on another rock, seemingly defying gravity. It’s a unique geological formation and a popular photo spot.
Interact with Locals: The Khasi people of Mawlynnong are known for their hospitality. One can spend some time interacting with the locals to learn about their culture and way of life.
Try Local Cuisine: one can try the authentic Khasi dishes like Jadoh (a rice and meat dish), Doh Syiar (pork with black sesame seeds), and various types of bamboo shoot preparations.
Conclusion
A visit to Mawlynnong is not just a journey to a picturesque village but an opportunity to witness the profound connection between people and nature. It leaves you with memories of tranquility, beauty, and cultural richness that will last a lifetime.
