Mawlynnong Travel Guide

Mawlynnong is a small village in the East Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya, the abode of changing clouds. Mawlynnong is famous for its matrilineal society as well as having been declared Asia's cleanest village which comes under the Pynursla community development block and legislative assembly constituency.

Mawlynnong is a village in the East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. It is famous for its women-centric society as well as having been declared Asia's cleanest village. As per the survey of 2014, there were about 95 homes in Mawlynnong. The literacy rate was 100%. The localites are chiefly occupied with agriculture, with betel nut being the main harvest. The people residing here belong to the Khasi Tribe while other tribes is Garo.

The village is quite pretty, especially in the monsoons when there is lush greenery all around, with waterfalls paving the way to small streams and abundance of flowering orchids dangling from the trees and hedges add to the beauty of the village.

The onus to keep the village clean lies with every person residing in the village. Local cleaning the roads, picking up leaves and throwing garbage in the bin is a very common sight. Bamboo garbage bins adorn every nook and corner of the village highlight the consciousness of cleanliness among the villagers. Cleanliness is an age old tradition and a way of life for all villagers. The village also offers breathtaking view of Bangladesh plains as it is located on the Indo-Bangla border.

Suprisingly, the village has hundred percent literacy and most of the villagers are conversant with the English language. The village offers a number of small tea shops, where you can relish a hot of cup of tea with some snacks.

Mawlynnong village has set an example for others that needs to be replicated in other villages.

India Beacons salutes to the 'spirit of cleanliness' exhibited by the villagers through their self sustained efforts.

Matrineal Society

As per tradition the females here are quite privileged as the Mawlynnong property and wealth are passed from the mother to the youngest of her daughters, who also keeps the mother's surname.

Sanitation

Mawlynnong is known for its cleanliness. The waste collected in the dustbins made of bamboo is 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 the year 2005. Moasunep Kichu's documentary on the village, became popular and it is known as Asia's Cleanest Village.