Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge is a living root bridge in Meghalaya, India. It can be reached via trekking 45 kilometres (28 mi), or 6500 steps, from Cherrapunji. 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 Nongriat in Cherrapunji to present the Khansi and Jaiñtia peoples' 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
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- ^ "Exploring Umshiang, Home To The Double Decker Living Roots Bridges". outlookindia.com. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ "Explained: In Meghalaya living root bridges, study sees global potential. Can it work?". The Indian Express. 24 November 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ "Meghalaya to showcase root-bridge on R-day". 23 January 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ Venkatesh, Bhavya (21 September 2020). "Let's go places". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ "Trail Of The Unexpected: The root masters of India". The Independent. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2021.