Double Decker Living Bridge

Double decker living bridge (famous for its parallel spans), taken by Vinayak Hedge

Living root Bridges are built in the deep valleys of East Khasi hills in central Meghalaya, Northeast India. The people of these villages (Nongriat, Laitkynshew and others) are isolated from rest of the world as these are located in a deep valleys which can only be reached by an arduous trek. Now though the situation is better as there are steps built to visit the valley. You have to descend and climb more than 2100 steps at a time. Since these valleys were inaccessible for a long time people came with this ingenious solution to cross rivers which were very full due to tremendous rainfalll in the monsoon.

They plant the strangler fig trees on both sides and once they grow they use guides such as bamboo poles or string for the roots to grow around them. Then in 10-15 years (mostly more), a bridge is grown. This is multi-generational effort. these bridges are extremely durable an last 5 to 6 centuries.

And they've been around a very long time.

Living bridge formed of the aërial roots of the India-rubber and other kind of figs.
Illustration from Himalayan journals; or, Notes of a naturalist in Bengal,
 the Sikkim and Nepal Himalayas, the Khasia Mountains,1854

I hadn't heard of these wonderful bridges before or of Meghalaya, which I was instantly curous about considering our family obsession with Indian movies (which naturally progresses into all other topics such as geography). I was interested to see that it has a Christian majority of 75% and is traditionally matrilineal. Plus it's in a spot you don't see mentioned in the movies much.

Thanks to Scott for pointing out the Atlas Obscura piece on the bridges and sending me on such a fascinating armchair trip!