TBI Photo Essay – The Bridge Of Sighs: Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges

Ashwin Mudigonda saw the BBC’s Human Planet, and was awestruck by the living root bridges of Nongriat. He decided to make a trip to Meghalaya and see the bridges. Here, illustrated by beautiful photographs, is an account of his thrilling adventure, which started with a flight to Shillong from Kolkotta aboard a tiny turboprop.

By Ashwin Mudigonda

May 16, 2013

Here is a view from atop the bridge. The roots are filled with sticks and stones, forming a viable passageway to get across. Centuries of existence have bestowed each root bridge with its unique moss patterns and character. Walking across one of these does not feel too different from crossing a suspension bridge, though it is not as bouncy.

Here is a khasi woman in her traditional garb. All khasi women wear a colorful shawl over their heads, and sling a purse across their torsos. In this, besides other things, they carry their much needed paan leaves. The society in Meghalaya in matrilineal. This was evident in the person in charge at the guesthouse, Mary. She ran a tight ship, handling visitors, checking them in, while ordering her husband and son around to perform duties. Once done with their chores, the men band together to smoke beedi and chew paan. After receiving much publicity due to the BBC documentary, the village pooled resources and constructed a Spartan 4 bedroom guesthouse near the double-decker bridge. Every few months, one family from the village takes turn to clean and maintain the guesthouse for tourists. They also cook simple meals. With tourists coming from all over the world, the guesthouse’s visitor’s book showed many positive comments about the accommodation

A few hours trek from the guesthouse takes one to Rainbow Falls. At first, I thought it was just another clichéd name for a waterfall, but I could see why it was named that. The place is so remote, and the trek so difficult that it automatically weeds out a huge number of tourists. Only the determined (and supremely fit) can experience it. The waterfall collects in a pristine blue pool in which one can take an electric swim. It was, by far, the best dip of my life. A lazy day can be spent swimming and supping on the delicious oranges.

All Photographs by Ashwin Mudigonda

A roboticist by day, Ashwin Mudigonda has a penchant for travel, photography, and writing fiction. Ashwin hates to be that “tourist with a camera” when he is out exploring, and prefers soaking up the life the way the locals do it. His photographic passion lie within composing HDRs of arresting monuments, and gritty street photography. He can be contacted at ashwin[dot]mudigonda[at]gmail[dot]com . You can follow his photo stream on Flickr.

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