Last Updated on September 19, 2020
In the 1992 best seller, ‘Bridges of Madison County’, when National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid drives his pickup truck through the hot and dusty dirt tracks of Iowa and turns into Francesca Johnson’s farm driveway looking for directions to the Roseman covered bridge, little did I know about the beauty and romance of the bridges of Madison county that would haunt me forever….. I found the same beauty and romance in the bridges of Arunachal Pradesh too.
So what’s so special about the bridges of Arunachal Pradesh?
Arunachal Pradesh: the land of the dawn-lit mountains, the land of the Hoolock Gibbons, the land of the Mishmi’s, Adi’s, Tani’s, Nishi’s and many other indigenous tribes, and the land of the fiesty Lohit river.
Bridges are perhaps the most invisible form of public architecture
Does this apply to the bridges of Arunachal Pradesh?
Bridging rivers, gorges, and valleys, bridges have always played an important role in the history of human settlement by not only providing crossings over water, dangerous roads, and cliffs but also becoming ‘frames for looking at the world around us’.
The beauty of each bridge that we crossed in Arunachal Pradesh was inspiring
Each one had its own unique character. Whether we were driving or walking over them or passing under them, we were enamored by the beauty of the surroundings. Some of the bridges of Arunachal Pradesh were monuments on their own.
Hanging bridges
Some of the hanging bridges we crossed were made of bamboo and wooden planks, apart from the metal cables that ran along the side and connected them to the ends. The floor creaked and squeaked, the entire bridge sometimes swinging under our clumsy steps. Below, through the gaps of missing wood pieces, we could see the mighty turquoise Lohit river gushing and rushing loudly, leaving us breathless.
And then you see school children running across barefoot, mothers with small babies on their back, villagers carrying loads of whatnot in their bamboo baskets, looking at us suspiciously. Well, practice does make one perfect. But what about fear of heights. Must be non-existent in these places.
Modern bridges
A lot of the modern bridges in Arunachal Pradesh are built by the Indian army and Border roads organisation (BRO). One such bridge is the Parasuram Kund bridge that connects Tezu and Wakro
Metal and concrete structures that are built to withstand the rains, landslides and the heavy army trucks. Though they do not have the beauty of the hanging bridges, they do serve their purpose.
Have you heard about bridges that are not built? Bridges that are grown !!!
Read more about the natural bridges – the root bridges of Meghalaya.
26 Comments
ahh..oppole..not fair..this felt like a Hindi soap serial end…just when it reached the climax, you put the “next post” disclaimer !! 🙂
Nice strategy..it worked..waiting for the next post desperately :-)…
Anyways I have my alerts subscribed on my cell..so I’ll know the moment u post it ;-)..
And needless to say…beautiful pics and nice-crisp post..luved it as always..
Thanks Tupdoos for the comments. Hindi soap serial end 🙂 .
I hope the next post is worth your wait
Nice captures. And the bridges that are grown…are you talking about the ones in Meghalaya?
http://www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com
Yes, the ones in Meghalaya. Oh you just killed the suspense 🙂
bridges of madison county ?
lol
GREAT snaps
keep sharing 🙂
Thanks Deepak.
If bridges could have told the story, it wouldn’t have been so captivating as this, I am sure! Lovely shots too.. Makes one miss them, despite never have gone there….
Waiting for the next part….
Thanks Nisha. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Ah cheri that is such a well crafted photo essay… Satisfaction of having had a wholesome meal… Amma keeps chanting ‘endoru rasa’ ‘endoru rasa’, now I see why. Used her f.b account to get hold of the blog…Do keep writing… Love, Sree…
Thanks Ammu.
You are looking lovely in the new profile pic.
Thank you Nisha. That’s J’s fave one.
Cool captures , waiting for more from N E India
Thanks. me too.
First time on your blog! That’s some amazing bridges captured! Loved those narrow hanging bridges …should be scarry to walk on them..
PS: Liked your personal profile 🙂
Thanks Anuradha for the comments. Yes it was a bit scary but an amazing experience.
I love the theme of this post. I have never looked at Arunachal in the perspective of the bridges there, but now that I think about it, there is indeed a certain charm to these bridges. I have traveled Arunachal quite extensively, and it is totally mind-boggling to see so many varieties of bridges, some machine made, some man made; where each tribe has their own unique way of building a bridge. The one bridge that has captured my attention the most, is found inside Namdapha, about 30 miles inside the jungle from Deban. Built by the Lisu Tribe, one needs a balancing act in order to cross these bridges.
Also, the green, blue etc colors of the Lohit is like a dream.
You can check this fb page for some pics of Aruncahal I clicked.
https://www.facebook.com/thegreenerpastures
Oh How I wish I could experience that bridge too. Thanks for giving me hope for my next visit.
Very beautiful and stunning photos : )
Thanks Firas for the comments.
Beautiful photos.. Great that you could visit all these less explored places. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thanks Nandini. Glad you liked it. And less explored places it is. Hope you get to go there some day.
I have been to Assam though… which also is less explored.. It was a fantastic experience. 🙂
Malini – thanks a million!! I am taking the Namdhapa trip this october with BNHS. Your Blog made me feel as if I am already there. How are the forest rest houses? BNHS plans to put us up in Tents (with Trench Toilets) for two out of the five days. Keeping my fingers crossed!
surendar cj
Thanks Surendar. It feels so good to know that my blog was of help to you. It is almost a year since we were in Namdapha, but there is not a day that I am not reminded of the beauty of Namdapha. Such is the magic of the place.
The guest house and toilets were basic, but clean. The food was simple but delicious and wholesome. Hope the monsoon does not hinder your adventures. Have a wonderful trip.