The cleanest village in India, Mawlynnong Village is also known as God’s Own Garden and for all the right reasons. In 2003, Mawlynnong was awarded the title of the cleanest Village in Asia by Discover India. Alongside cleanliness, the village have achieved a lot- be it 100 percent literacy rate, or a women empowerment scenario that the rest of the world can only dream of.
But are these reasons enough for you to plan a visit and explore this mystic heaven? If not, here are the top reasons why this small village deserves a lot more travelers.
Best Time To Visit Mawlynnong
Image credit: Travelling Slacker via Flickr
The weather in Mawlynnong is pleasant all through the year. Still the best time to visit Mawlynnong, Meghalaya is monsoon. During the rainy season, village and its surroundings become lush green and thus turn absolutely picturesque.
You can also visit during the festive times – Behdienkhlam in July, Wangala – between September to December, and Nongkrem Dance Festival in October or November are some of the main festivals celebrated in and near Mawlynnong Village.
5 Reasons For Visiting Mawlynnong
One always needs reasons to visit places and these reasons are despite not being enough, always serve as excuses to take your loved ones on a much-awaited grand tour!
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- Cleanliness
- Tribal Locals
- Living Root Bridges
- Places To See In Mawlynnong
- Local Dishes
1. Cleanliness
Cleanliness is a way of life in Mawlynnong Village! All houses here have functional toilets since 2007, there are bamboo dustbins all over the village, even the dry leaves fallen from the trees go straight into the dustbin, plastic bags are banned, and smoking is prohibited. The rules are strictly followed and the defaulters are charged heavily.
That’s not all, Mawlynnong gets its own manure which is converted from the garbage dug into a pit. People not only clean their houses, they step out to sweep the roads and planting trees is a part of their lifestyle too.
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2. Tribal Locals
Image credit: Sergio Carbajo via Flickr
The cleanest village in Asia, Mawlynnong is mainly inhabited by Khasi tribe, the famous tribe which has left behind the patriarchal rule of the society. In here, the children of the family get their mother’s surname, and the wealth is passed down from the mother to the youngest daughter of the family.
Mawlynnong proves that women empowerment and 100 percent literacy rate, both are achievable. Extending warm hospitality to their guests also happens to be one of the most well-known qualities of the natives of Mawlynnong.
3. Living Root Bridges
The Living Root Bridges in Mawlynnong have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hanging on a river, the bridges are made by connecting the aerial roots of one massive rubber tree with another.
Must Read: 36 Best Places To Visit In Southeast Asia
4. Places To See In Mawlynnong
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Sky View is a vantage point and a popular attraction of Mawlynnong Village. This viewing tower is 85 feet high and is made of bamboo. Once you reach the top, you’ll be overwhelmed with the breath-taking views. And since the village lies on the Indo-Bangladesh border, you’ll be able to see the landscape of Bangladesh as well. Entry to place will cost you around INR 10 per person.
The silence of a jungle is broken by the gushing sound of Mawlynnong waterfall. This is a perfect place to unwind and have a lovely picnic with your loved ones. A major landmark of Mawlynnong Village, the Church of Epiphany is a 100-year-old structure that still holds an old-world charm. The premises look soothing with a lot of greenery and patches of red and orange flowers blossoming around it.
5. Local Dishes
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The best part about the food you eat in Mawlynnong is that all of it is prepared using organically grown vegetables. Even the meat comes from in-house bred birds and animal.
There is a wide variety to vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes to savor; pick from pork tossed in bell peppers and greens, freshly-cut and smoked banana-flower, Jadoh – a meat and rice based delight), and Tungrymbai – a sumptuous mesh of fermented soybeans, bamboo leaves, and local spices.
If the above attractions motivate you to take a trip to the cleanest village in Asia, here is the what you need to know about how to reach and the Places to stay in Mawlynnong.
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Places To Stay
In Mawlynnong, you’ll find some nice homestays that allow you to stay close to nature and have a lovely time with the locals. Some homestays are traditionally-built huts, while a few are built from concrete. In Mawlynnong accommodation is simple, and come with basic facilities.
Recommended Mawlynnong guest houses/homestays: Ila Jong Homestay, Bangladesh View Homestay, Hala Tyngkong, Epiphany Society Guest House, & Sahpyngngad Homestay
Average cost per night: INR 2000
How To Reach Mawlynnong, Meghalaya
After attaining the title of the cleanest Village in Asia, Mawlynnong became a popular tourist attraction. Well-connected to major cities like Shillong and Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong can be easily reached by road. Here are the different ways to reach the village:
- By road: Roads towards Mawlynnong are majorly in good condition. You can easily find buses plying between the village and nearby areas like Cherrapunji and Shillong.
- By air: Nearest airport from Mawlynnong located in Shillong, at a distance of 78 km. There are direct flights from Kolkata to Shillong. However, if you’re coming from other cities like Delhi, you’ll have to go for a connecting flight. On reaching the airport, you can hire a taxi or board a bus to reach Mawlynnong
- By rail: Guwahati is the nearest major railway station from Mawlynnong, 172 km away. Opt for a bus ride or taxi from the station in order to reach the village.
Further Read: 11 Secret Homestays In Himalayas That Will Possess You For Life
Consider yourself prepared for the trip to Mawlynnong! Already been there? Tell us too about the blast you had! Plan a trip to Meghalaya for an amazing holiday experience with your loved ones. Don’t forget to pack a few extra clothes in case this place changes your mind.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cleanest Village In Asia
Which is the best month to visit Meghalaya?
The best months to visit Meghalaya is between October and June. Early summer and winter is quite pleasant. But due to heavy rainfall during monsoons a lot of tourists avoid visiting from July till September.
Is Meghalaya safe for tourists?
With helpful and strong law enforcement officers, Meghalaya can easily be considered to be one of the safest places in India for tourists. The locals are hospitable, environmentally conscious and laid back which allows tourists to feel safe and chilled out whether they are in the streets of Shillong or the hills of Cherrapunjee.
Is Shillong safe for solo Travellers?
Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and is one of the most developed cities in the NorthEast region apart from Guwahati. It is relatively safer and convenient place for solo travelers traveling in India.
How many living root bridges are there in Meghalaya?
The subtropical evergreen forests of Meghalaya allows many living root bridges to be formed in the middle of the jungles. They are absolute wonders of nature and seems magical. There are eleven in living root bridges in Cherrapunji and more than one in Mawlynnong. Some of the most visited ones are- the double decker living root bridge of Mawlynnong, Ummunoi, Umkar and Ritymmen root bridge in Cherrapunji.
How do I get to Dawki River?
The best way to reach Dawki River is to either to rent a motorbike or book a cab from Guwahati or Shillong and drive down one of the most stunning roads in the country. It is 82 km away and a 2.5 hour ride from Shillong; and from Guwahati it takes 5 hours to drive the 176 km road. The nearest rail head and airports to Dawki river is in Guwahati.
