Asia’s Cleanest Village Mawlynnong: A Surpassing View In The Valley of Khasi Hills And A Picture-Perfect Holiday Destination
God’s Own Garden and Asia’s Cleanest Village both refer to Mawlynnong. Mawlynnong is a small, cosy village located in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills. It is among the most attractive visiting places in Meghalaya. You can immediately understand how the community has been able to claim the distinction because of the stunning natural beauty and impeccable hygiene.
To understand why trash should be thrown in dustbins rather than on the road, people who live in cities should have a holiday from their boring lives and visit this location. Literate and hospitable, Mawlynonng’s native population. You will treasure your trip’s memories for the rest of your life thanks to their kind actions.
About Mawlynnong Village:
Mawlynnong, a village in Meghalaya’s Khasi Hills, lies 90 kilometres from Shillong. It is renowned for its cleanliness, for this Discover India Magazine awarded it the cleanest village in India in 2005 and Asia’s cleanest village in 2003.
The majority of the residents of the village are Christians who are Khasi. Three churches may be found in the village, and the people have worked hard to promote tourism in the region. For those who want to spend the night in the village, there are homestays available. The stalls, shops are closed on Sunday.
The garden village and unquestionably the cleanest settlement in Asia is Mawlynnong.
How To Reach Mawlynnong From Cherrapunji?
The best choice if you decide to travel by car to Mawlynnong is to first arrive in Shillong or Cherrapunji, which are separated by around 90 and 92 kilometres, respectively. Neither city often has direct bus service to Mawlynnong. The majority of buses travel to Dawki, a community located around 17 kilometres from Mawlynnong. Before boarding a second direct bus to Mawlynnong, tourists frequently spend some time sightseeing in Dawki.
Private cabs are also an option, and they will transport you in the most practical way and directly to your destination. A shared sumo can be taken directly from Shillong to Mawlynnong by taking a taxi to the Khasi Hills Sumo stall at the Bara Bazaar market.
Places To Take Rest During The journey:
Except for a few stretches, the state of the roads is generally good. The last section is a detour from the main route through heavily forested areas. Bus fares shouldn’t exceed INR 250, and a day’s worth of service in a tourist taxi should cost about INR 500 per person. You can also stop at some of the best eateries along the way while taking in the beautiful scenery.
Cafe Cherrapunjee:
Cafe Cherrapunjee is located in Mawkdok, Meghalaya, on a lovely site surrounded by old pine trees. Its restaurant serves Indian cooking and real local cuisines in a fine dining environment. When travelling to Cherrapunji from Shillong, the cafe is the ideal stop for a delicious mid-trip supper. For those who want to experience living closer to nature and the heavy rain this region is renowned for, accommodations are available.
A half-kilometer from the zip-lining location, in Cafe Cherrapunji, you may get a filling meal. They serve Indian cuisine alongside Chinese and regional specialities. Every time we visit, we gorge ourselves on the food. Try out the Pork dishes here.
Accommodations In Mawlynnong:
Homestays can be a fantastic alternative if you intend to stay at Mawlynonng for one night or for two to three days. Pre-booking is advised, though, as there aren’t many homestays and it can be tough to find one at the busiest times unless you’re extremely fortunate. Homestays start at $1300 per night, though you might be able to obtain a deal if you book in bulk. Shillong has hotels, so does cherrapunji hotels if you don’t have any other plans for an overnight stay. Hotels in Shillong can be found for as little as 699 rupees per night.
If you’re going to Mawlynlong, it’s usually a good idea to have enough liquid cash on hand.
Although there are ATMs in Shillong, they are scarce outside the city and frequently run out of money. Since the northeast region is not yet entirely digitalized, and you may need to go quite a distance to find an ATM, many people are unaware of Paytm and other digital payment providers. To prevent any trouble, it is best to take cash from Shillong.
Areca Cottage:
Areca Cottages is the ideal location for you if you wish to unwind during your stay in a charming, cosy cottage in the middle of nature. The caregiver is extremely helpful and responsible, and the food preparation is unrivalled. One of the highlights of a holiday to Meghalaya might be staying at an Areca hut.
There are only two cabins, and everything is natural. To get to the cottages, one must stroll via the natural trails and pavements, which gives you a rustic feeling and makes you feel at one with nature. Free breakfast is provided.
Best Time To Visit Mawlynnong:
Here, the weather is unpredictable. The days here are often nice, but the nights can get rather frigid. The community experiences the three distinct seasons of summer, monsoon, and winter all year round. Since it gets to 30 °C during the summers, they are typically not the best times to visit. The best time to go would be any time between June and February, when the weather is just great for visiting the village—not too hot or too cold. The foremost tourist place in Meghalaya, Mawlynonng’s beauty will surely amaze you.
Explore God’s Own Garden:
The title Mawlynnong has received is “God’s own Garden”. Given the numerous hidden woods that reverberate with the melodic sound of flowing water, this is understandable. Jump over the rocky roads as you follow the bird’s cry to come across a little cascade. You might just come across a beautiful, green garden with butterflies buzzing over the fragrant orchids if you stroll along those streams. Even an innocent bumblebee might be caught in one of those harmless-looking jug plants.
It should absolutely be on your list of things to do in Mawlynnong to sit by one of these secret streams and take in the cool, moist atmosphere.
Church of the Epiphany :
A century-old “Church of the Epiphany” is also located in the settlement, and it is encircled by orange and palm trees. Both the majority of Meghalayans and Mawlynnong inhabitants identify as Christians. Every Sunday, choirs perform carols at this church, making it more cheerful. On the roads and playgrounds, there are a number of bamboo tree homes that you may climb to get a good perspective of the entire community. In the village’s centre, there is a post office as well.
Conclusion:
Last but not least, cleaning is a constant in Asia’s cleanest community. Mawlynnong’s village chief has given each resident a mission to complete to uphold the reputation of being the “Cleanest village in Asia.” These individuals receive the responsibility of cleaning the side walks, lanes, and common spaces twice daily on a rotating basis. The conical waste bins are where they store all the trash and dead leaves. They must also sort organic garbage from non-biodegradable waste and empty all the trash cans positioned throughout the hamlet. Each child is taught at home to be clean as a culture and a habit while they are small. Smoking and using plastic are strictly prohibited in Mawlynnong. Fines assessed for any infractions.