Mawlynnong is the World’s and Asia’s Cleanest Village. It is very fondly known as “God’s own Garden”. This is also the most hygienic place one can live and visit. Well, this village is in Meghalaya. Mawlynnong is in the East of Khasi Hills. Plastic-free and eco-friendly, hence the environment is so apt for life.
A must-visit and a top on your bucket list. The best way to explore this place is to take a stroll and walk through the village. The earlier the better, with some good sunrays falling on the greens, is a sight.
You will observe some mesmerising landscapes and fascinating houses that are so eco-conscious. If youre a pineapple lover, then you will come across some pineapple plantations on the pathways.
We feel they are the best and most juicy pineapples you will come across. You also get some amazing pineapple jams here.
The community is very strong with its commitment to keep the village clean. From rainwater harvesting to community-led movements its a teamwork here. There are many community-based gardens here that you get to see.
The roads are spic and span and spotless. Such well-maintained and clean homes, infact even their bathrooms and kitchens are superclean. They have such alluring surroundings and an environment that is apt for the world to learn from. The village and locals have a deep connection with nature. The locals involve themselves in a lot of ways to keep this tradition alive. They also involve themselves in composting and waste management. They use bamboo dustbins and have zero plastic use.
The name of the village, Mawlynnong, was obtained as the place has numerous rocks and has many craters in them. Also, the villagers connect their tradition with religious beliefs from Christianity. You are just not allowed to smoke her so please don’t carry any kind of substance.
This beautiful village has about 124 families, and they belong to the Khasi tribe. The village also covers a small area, making it medium in size. So, imagine a place with less population and a small community of just 759 people. It’s an altitude of about 4,908 feet, and it’s above sea level of about 1,496m. The village is known for its historic hollow rocks. They used to ferment betel nuts, and it was their primary cash crop.
Besides taking a stroll around the village, you have several other spots that you can visit here. Can you believe there is a bridge that was built by the Khasi tribe naturally with weaves of roots of rubber( Ficus elastica) trees. Walking through it is a task, but a great trekking experience.
You will have to come to Riwai village near Mawlynnong, and it is known as the Riwai Living Root Bridge. There is another bridge you can visit, the Ritymmen Root Bridge.
You will also be surprised to see a huge and tall bamboo structure that’s called the Sky View Point. From here, you will come across breathtaking views of the village. You will be happy to see the greens and the plains of Bangladesh.
We all like visiting a waterfall, and when there’s a chance to visit one, then why not? A perfect spot at the Mawlynnong waterfall and Bophill falls ( near the India-Bangladesh border) for photography lovers is cascading.
When you hear church bells, then it’s the decade and century-old quaint church, which is surrounded again with tranquility, calmness, and charm. The crystal clear rivers Dawki and Umngoti are a sure shot visit in Meghalaya. The Nohwet viewpoint will give some great panoramic views of the region.
A mystery that remains for the longest time with the Balancing Rock. A huge boulder that stands at a very unusual angle on another rock. It’s called Maw Ryngkew Sharia and is another natural attraction. It’s another natural formation as it hasnt got disturbed by any natural disaster. Mother defies the rules of science here.
How did it become the cleanest village.
The people and community of Mawlynnong are driven by the tradition and culture of sanitation. This deeply ingrained quality and strict practise are eco-friendly. Not one day goes by without daily cleaning by the locals. They have placed bamboo dustbins every 50 meters, and they have comprehensive waste composting methods.
Its a communal duty and responsibility, well, the children are also trained to do so for the future and pass it on to future generations. There are special days which are called social work days, where the entire village unites to keep it spic and span. There are no cafes and bars except for local stuff only.
The tribe is very disciplined and eco-conscious. They have 100 % literacy rate. They speak in Khasi but are also proficient in Hindi and English as a language.
It will also be cool to understand how they are so disciplined and how they are so driven. For you to get a decent mobile network, you will have to stand at certain places.
Mawlynnong ! the Best
It’s very pleasant and quite nice here if you visit in October and April. It’s perfect to go easy on sightseeing and long village walks.
Well, there is an entry fee of Rs 100/- per person. For parking and other attractions, there are some charges. You can find some accommodation here that has rustic home-stays, rustic and local guest houses. You can easily get some fresh and organic vegetarian meals and Non-vegetarian meals too. I’m sure you would like to take back something from the village, and you can pick some cool, eco-friendly products that include handmade bamboo items, baskets made from cane, Eri silk textiles, organic honey, and local spices. Bamboo bangles, woven baskets, and handwoven textiles. Also, take back your stuff is some cool sustainable shopping bags.
How to reach the cleanest village.
You can fly to Shillong thats the nearest airport you can find. Then hop into a local taxi or bus and reach Mawlynnong. If you love road trips, go for a pleasant drive from Shillong or Guwahati.
Also, you should know that besides Mawlynnong, as the cleanest village we have, the cleanest city in India in Madhya Pradesh, “Indore”. Here, too, waste management and segregation are a full-fledged citizen participation. Also, Surat and Navi Mumbai are other cities to be the cleanest.
