Cherrapunjee Pictures

Cherrapunjee, pride of the Khasi Hills

Cherrapunjee, located in East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, is credited as being the wettest place on Earth. It receives an average of 463.7 inches of rain every year. However, in recent times nearby Mawsynram has been receiving more rainfall.

Trek to the living root bridges

Cherrapunjee is very popular for its living root bridges. Over the past centuries, the people in Cherrapunjee have developed techniques for growing roots of trees into large bridges spanning streams. The entire process takes about 10-15 years and they last for more than 100 years.

Path leading towards the living bridges

A villager crossing a wire suspension foot bridge

These bridges are built by training the roots of Ficus Elastica, a species of Indian Rubber tree which thrives in this region. These trees, well adapted to the heavy soil erosion in the region, can comfortably perch themselves on huge boulders along the riverbanks and in the middle of streams.

Crossing over to the other side

Crystal blue stream flowing under the bridge

The Double Decker bridge, located in Nongriat village, is the most popular one amongst the tourists. It spans over the Umshiang stream.

Double Decker living root bridge

A narrow path from this bridge leads to a natural pool with clear blue water.

Pool

Pillar Rock

Pillar Rock

Nohkalikai Falls

Nohkalikai Falls (1100 ft), one of the tallest waterfalls in India,is located near Cherrapunjee.

Nohkalikai Falls

The name, Nohkalikai (Jump of Ka Likai), is linked to a legend about a local woman Likai who after family tragedy became insane and jumped off the cliff next to the falls.

Nohkalikai Falls emptying into the green plunge pool