TAWANG
Tawang, the land of the Monpa and Sherdukpen
tribes with centuries-old monastery, Dragon gates, hundred
pristine lakes and numerous waterfalls, situated high up in
the misty-eyed Eastern Himalaya. Savouring its wonderful isolation.
The true beauty lies in the unpampered vistas, serenity of
its lakes, restlessness of brooks, and the spiritual fragrance
and ever smiling people.
The soggy, rocky mountains, snowcapped summits
and old Monasteries looming large in the skyline, are the
real treasures of the place. The township stands on the spur
of a hill over 12,000 ft. above the sea level. It is the major
centre of the Mahayana Buddhist and the headquarter of Tawang
district.
TAWANG MONASTERY : Tawang
is famous for its 400 years old Buddhist Monastery locally
called Gumpha.It is the fountainhead of spiritual life of
the followers of the Gellupa sect of the Mahayana school of
Buddhism. The Tawang Monastery is associated with the famous
Torgva festival which is held in the eleventh Monpa month
called the Dawa Chukchipah during Dec-Jan as per the Buddhist
Calendar. The Tibetan influence here is unmistakable, with
the elaborately painted wooden windows and other motifs. Prayer
flags flutter in the breeze outside. There is an 8 meter high
gilded statue of Lord Buddha here. A must visit is the craft
centre which produces very fine woolen carpets of colourful
designs and masks.
Around Tawang
Se La Pass, Lies on the
way to Tawang .The World's Second highest Pass, the Sela Pass
at 4,125 meter, which runs through a small
ridge and along a placid lake called the Paradise Lake , in
India. The highest pass of the state of Arunachal Pradesh
and the third highest of the world is a wonderful place to
visit .
Pakang Teng Tso Lake, the
spectacular lake lies at about 17km from Tawang and a dazzling
example of the hidden treasure amidst the vast green vegetation.
Urgelling Monastery: The
birth place of Tsangyang Gyasto, the sixth Dalai Lama of a
Monpa Mother, and belonging to Nyingmapa sect is situated
at a distance of 5km from Tawang.
BOMDILA
The headquarters of West Kameng district
is situated at a height of 2,530 metres. Offers spectacular
panoramic views of Himalayan landscapes and snow clad mountains.
Bomdila, lies amidst apple orchards, wild orchids, forests
and cascading waterfalls. This area has had strong Tibetan
and Buddhist influences over many centuries and hence there
are many Buddhist monasteries called 'Gumphas' here. There
is a craft centre here which produces very fine carpets of
colourful designs and masks. Other places of interest here
are apple orchards and the Ethnographic Museum .
Around Bomdila
Bhalukpong a beautiful
picnic spot was the capital of Bhaluka, the grandson of King
Bana. This beautiful place lies at 64km from Tezpur on the
foot of Aka Hills (Arunachal Pradesh). The remains of the
fortification of the kings are still visible. The hot spring,
a big orchid garden at Tipi and the unspoiled beauty of nature,
is the priced possession of the place. Jia-bharali River passing
through the place is angler's paradise. This picturesque spot
lies on the way to Bomdila and is the gateway to Arunachal
Pradesh, from the south west.
Tipi, Asia's largest orchidarium,
the Orchid Research Centre is located here in the West Kameng
district. The Orchid centre on the bank of river Bharali,
surrounded by evergreen forest has more than 500 species of
orchids. On display are some of the finest species with names
like the Dainty Lady's Slipper or the more formal sounding
Dendrobium. Arunachal has the largest range of orchids in
India and at Tipi; scientists are creating new, hybrid species
using the latest techniques of bio technology. Buses are also
available from Bomdila and Bhalukpong.
Dirang
is the sub-divisional headquarters in West Kameng districts;
situated in between Bomdila and Tawang. Of interest are Apple
orchards, yak breeding farms, a few kilometers from Dirang
and hot springs where people go for a holy dip to wash away
sins and diseases and Kalachakra Gompa. Ideal for Trekking
and hiking. Recommended clothing is heavy woolen in winter
and light woolen in inclement weather and cotton in summer.
ITANAGAR
A modern settlement built in the vicinity
of the ruins of a medieval capital. The capital of Arunachal
Pradesh, it is a beautiful historic city, also known as 'the
Land of the Dawnlit Mountains '. It is located to the east
of Tawang and has been identified with Mayapur, a city of
the 14th or 15th century A.D. Itafort is a historical fort
situated at the heart of the capital complex in Papum Pare
District. It is a fort of irregular shape, built mainly with
bricks. Total brick work is of 16,200 cubic meters, length.
There are three gates on three sides viz; Eastern, Western,
and Southern which is said to be built by Ahoms. It is estimated
that more than 80 lakhs of bricks, 45 cubic meters of stone
and 46,300 mandays were required to build the fort. Besides
this, other places of interest are the Buddhist Monastery
, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Museum , and Emporium and Ganga
Lake where boating facilities are available.
Around Itanagar
Naharlagun, situated at
a distance of 10km from Itanagar, is a twin town of Itanagar.
One can visit the Zoo, Craft Centre, and Polo Park. The place
is ideal for trekking, hiking, boating and canoeing on the
River Ganga and angling on the River Dikrong.
ZIRO
A picturesque valley of the Apatani plateau
to the north of Itanagar. The valley is surrounded pine covered
mountains. The place is the home of Apatani tribes. High altitude
fish farm, Pine Bamboo groves, villages, indigenous method
of rice cultivation, craft centre are the major attraction
of the place. The smell of the mist, the taste of the breeze
and the sound of the forest make it worth travel. The place
is an Anthropologist's delight.
Around Ziro
Talley Valley, t ale in
Apatani dialect is the name of a plant and to many other tribes
the word means paradise. Talley valley is 30 kms from Hapoli
(Ziro) the densely populated township in the Apatani Plateau
and the headquarters of the Lower Subansiri District. It is
a picturesque little township with the local population growing
paddy, which is the main agricultural produce in terraces.
The concept of paddy-cum-pisciculture has attracted people
and has turned economically purposeful for their prosperity.
Talley Valley Wild life Sanctuary
, situated at a distance of 35km is the natural botanical
garden, is a treasure trove of flora and fauna. The Sanctuary
houses many exotic orchids. It is the home of the Mithun (cross
breed of Wild Gaur and Buffalo), a shy type of animal.
Tarin Fishing Farm is the
high altitude fishing seed farm at Tarin, near Ziro is a great
example of the Apa Tani's arrangement of Paddy and Fish culture.
DAPORIJO
Daporijo is a large village town situated
at the confluence of the Sippi and Subansiri rivers. It is
the District Headquarters of Upper Subansiri district and
is situated on the right bank of River Subansiri. Places of
interest are the local villages in and around and a beautiful
cave a few kilometers away. The place is ideal for trekking
and angling on River Subansiri.
ALONG
On way to Along one can see the historical
Malinithan temple. The Legendary Akashi Ganga, a point from
which one gets an unusual over view of the Bhramhaputra and
its tributaries. Mithun and Jersey cross breeding farm at
Kamki, 25 kms from here is another interesting visit.
PASIGHAT
Headquarters of East
Siang district, situated on the right bank of river Siang.
Siang is the name of river Bhramhaputra in Arunachal Pradesh.
A visit to Dr. D. Ering Wildlife Sanctuary where wild buffalos,
tigers, samber deer and wild ducks are found in plenty is
a must. Other places of interest are the surrounding villages
and the Emporium. Pasighat is Ideal for river rafting, boating,
angling, trekking and hiking. The Bhramhaputra Darshan, festival
has become a bi-annual fest.
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