Nongriat village, en route to the double-decker living root bridge.
Picture credit: @aryan
Ever since last year I stumbled upon a reference to the Meghalayan Age in the book ‘Land of Seven Rivers’ by Sanjeev Sanyal. The stalagmite formations in the Mawmluh cave, carrying marks of a drought around 2000 BC, which may have contributed to the decline of the Harappan civilization, stirring my curiosity. Captivated by the rich history and culture of the Khasi people, I was eager to explore their land.
Last month, I had the opportunity to embark on a trip to Meghalaya. From delving into the origin and history of the Khasis to discovering the enchanting living root bridges of Nongriat, exploring the awe-inspiring caves of Mawmluh & Mawsmai, and experiencing the serene beauty of the Mawphlang sacred groves, my journey was filled with moments of discovery, fascination, and awe.
Along with traversing the numerous trekking trails and conversing with countless Khasi people along the way.
In an effort to encapsulate the essence of Meghalaya, I would like to divide the journey into four parts, based on the diverse experiences and insights: