"Live" bridges in India

India is a country of mysteries, miracles and spiritual enlightenment. Here are some gods have a trunk and four hands, and bridges can grow themselves.

We travel to the town of Cherrapunji in northeast of India, which is located at an altitude of 1300 meters and is considered the wettest place on Earth. Here to "grow" bridges kauchukovaja use the roots of the ficus. The process of "construction" lasts 10-15 years. The living bridges can reach lengths of 30 meters and can withstand the weight of more than 50 people.
The discoverer of the root bridges is Denis P. Wright. Its so interested in unusual buildings that he could spend hours to talk about them to everyone, and for a while I even organized special tours to India that the Europeans could appreciate the beauty of "real" crossings.
Bridges are grown in a suitable location under the town of Cherrapunji, which according to various sources is the wettest place on the Earth: for the year falls here more than 11 000 mm of rain. But a record number fell in 1861 — 22.98 meters.

Material to "build" living bridges are roots of the ficus elastica. This evergreen tree reaching a height of 30-40 meters.

The uniqueness of the ficus is that it has a secondary root system: its roots grow out. On pictures double bridge called "Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge":

In order for the roots of ficus growing in the right direction, the residents of Cherrapunji use special frames.

Reaching the other shore the roots of ficus kauchukovaja grow in the ground. The process of "building" a bridge usually lasts 10-15 years, and besides, he requires constant care and attention.

Ready bridge can withstand up to 50 adults. Moreover, the older the bridge, the stronger the roots become woody and strong like steel cables.

For more than 500 years managed to grow a large number of bridges of over 30 meters in length.

Source: http://mirfactov.com/zhivyie-mostyi-v-indii/