Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge is a living root bridge in Meghalaya, India. It can be reached via trekking 45 km from Cherapunji. The trek is 6500 steps. There is also a waterfall nearby.[1]
Due to tourism, the health of the root bridge has degraded.[2] Meghalaya presented the root bridge at its 70th Republic Day ceremony. A replica of the bridge has been made in Nangrighat in Cherrapunji to present the Khansi and Jaintia people's craft of building bridges from the secondary roots of trees.[3] These living bridges are grown from a special type of rubber tree. As the roots grow, so the strength of the bridge increases.[4] The root bridges are honoured as the Tajmahal of Meghalaya. They take around 25 years to grow and operate, but can carry the weight of 50 people and go on functioning for 500 years.[5]
References edit
- ^ "Exploring Umshiang, Home To The Double Decker Living Roots Bridges". www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
- ^ "Explained: In Meghalaya living root bridges, study sees global potential. Can it work?". The Indian Express. 2019-11-24. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
- ^ "Meghalaya to showcase root-bridge on R-day". Retrieved 2021-05-28.
- ^ Venkatesh, Bhavya (2020-09-21). "Let's go places". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
- ^ "Trail Of The Unexpected: The root masters of India". The Independent. 2011-10-22. Retrieved 2021-05-28.