Ecotourism Homestay with the Khasi Tribes at Asia’s Cleanest Village – Mawlynnong, Meghalaya, India! – Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve ~ Tour Packages & Safari Bookings Official

The State of Meghalaya (meaning abode of the clouds) has never failed to thrill its visitor’s. From pleasant weather, beautiful landscapes, majestic waterfalls and breath-taking scenery, a visit to Meghalaya will surely fill your heart with solace. Shillong aka ‘the Scotland of the East’ and ‘India’s Rock Capital’ is the capital of state of Meghalaya where you see a blend of the cultural past and modern civilization. Shillong is also the District Headquarters of East Khasi Hills District and is situated at an altitude of 1,496 metres above sea level. The capital city has a bracing climate throughout the year. This city has been the seat of Government since the consolidation of the British administration in this part of India more than a century ago.

Meghalaya’s main ethnic communities, each having its own distinctive customs and cultural traditions are the Khasis (of Mon-Khmer ancestry), the Garos (of Tibeto-Burman origin) and the Jaintias said to be from South East Asia. The common trait binding all three communities is its matrilineal system in which the family linage is taken from the mother’s side. The people of Meghalaya are known to be hospitable, cheerful and friendly.

The State of Meghalaya is also home to the ‘Wettest place on Planet Earth – Cherrapunjee’. Cherrapunjee records the maximum rainfall anywhere in the world. The Majestic ‘Nohkalikai’ waterfall at Cherrapunji is the tallest plunge waterfall in India. The living root bridges at Cherrapunjee is also unique to the place that thrills most visitors visiting the place.

Mawlynnong (located 90 km from Shillong, along the India-Bangladesh border) is a village in the East Khasi Hills district of the Meghalaya state, India. Mawlynnong is famous for its matrilineal society as well as having been dubbed Asia’s cleanest village. At Mawlynnong there are about 95 households. A striking feature of this small village is that the literacy rate is 100%. Agriculture is the chief occupation of the local population, with betel nut being the main crop. The people residing in the community are mostly Khasi people.

Mawlynnong is known for its cleanliness. The waste is collected in the dustbins made of bamboo, directed to a pit and then used as manure. The travel magazine Discover India declared the village as the cleanest in Asia in 2003, and the cleanest in India in 2005. The phrase has since caught on. Moasunep Kichu’s documentary on the village, for instance, is called Asia’s Cleanest Village. (Wikipedia, 2015)

Jungleideas welcomes you to the North East India to witness the tradition and culture of the Khasi people at Shillong, Cherrapunjee and ‘Asia’s cleanest Village’ at Mawlynnong, the State of Meghalaya, Incredible India!

Recommended Itinerary for your Visit: Living Root Bridge Trail Trek