TAWANG

TAWANG, situated at altitude of 12000ft. above sea level on the mountainous range of
the northern Himalayas in the western most part of Arunachal Pradesh, the land of raising sun, is inhabited by the colourful tribe “Monpas”. Tawang is surrounded by the snow capped peaks, pleasant lakes, beautiful monasteries, congenial climate and friendly, hospitable people. It is belived that Tawang is blessed by God with the gift of a white horse (Ta) of Rev. Mera Lama Lodre Gyamtso, who is the founder of Tawang Monastery.

Monpas follow the Mahayana sect of Buddhism, it is said that before adopting Buddhism, Monpas believed in the BON faith that was characterised by spirit worship and animals sacrifices which is commonly followed by other tribes in Arunachal Pradesh and agriculture is the mainstay of the Monpas but they do not practice Jhumming cultivation prevalent in the north eastern India.

PLACES OF INTEREST:

TAWANG MONASTERY:

The famous Tawang monastery also known as the 'Galden Namgyal Lhatse', is the largest Buddhist monastery of India and the second largest of Asia belonging to the Galukpa faction of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. The Tawang monastery was established by Merak Lama Lodre Gyamtso in the year 1860-61. The monastery stands on the spur of a hill, about 10,000 feet above sea level and has ravines in the south and west, narrow ridge on the north and gradual slope on the east. From a distance it appears like a fort and offers a picturesque view of the Tawang-chu valley. A stunning 8 m high gilded statue of Buddha dominates the sanctum.
Though it has the capacity for housing about seven hundred monks, the actual number of resident lamas (monks) at present is a little more than 450. This monastery is the crown of the spiritual life of the people of this region.

Monastery is a vast complex of 65 buildings - a treasure house of old scriptures, priceless images, painted tapestries, books and collection of gold lettered Buddhist scriptures. The ‘Parkhang’ hall of the monastery houses the library which holds the rare hand written and block-printed Thankas or manuscripts of revered books like 'Tangym', 'Kangyur' and 'Sungbhum'. The other rare works of Buddhist literature include 108 gold-embossed manuscripts of the 'Teaching of Lord Buddha' and 225 volumes of the explanations of Buddha’s teachings covered with specially designed moth - proof silk adorned with paintings. There is a towering 18 ft high gilded statue of the Buddha in the monastery complex.

URGELLING Monastery:

The birthplace of His Holi Highness ,the sixth Dalai Lama 'Tsangyang Gyatso ' who was born on 1 March, 1683 in Tawang to Lama Tashi Tenzin of Urgeling, a descendant of the treasure revealer Pema Lingpa, and Tsewang Lhamo, a Monpa girl hailing from a royal family of Bekhar Village. The sacred Urgelling monastery lies about five kilometers to the south of the serene Tawang town. Surrounded by the graceful Himalayas and the picturesque Tawang-Chu valley, the Urgelling monastery traces its root to the 15th century CE, when around 1489, it was established by Urgen Sangpo as a Buddhist spiritual centre.

A home to the Buddhist monks and Lamas following the Lamaistic Mahayana school of thought, the monastery became a sacred place for the Buddhists since 1683 CE, the year when the sixth Dalai Lama was born. The monastery was restored and enlarged in the year 1699 by Desi Sangye Gyamtso, and now its renovated look possessed a double storied main temple, an assembly hall with eight pillars, an altar room with four pillars, a deities' chapel with two pillars, a residential quarter for His Holi Highness the sixth Dalai Lama, a chapel to practice the tantric practices, Ka-Gyur house and a courtyard with twenty rooms meant for residential quarters for the monks and the Lamas.
The glory of the monastery saw a downfall by the end of 1706 when His Holi Highness the sixth Dalai Lama was deposed by Lajang Khan, and subsequently the monastery was destroyed by one of his forces in 1714. The invasion also deserted the monastery and all its treasured possessions - scriptures, statues and other holy objects went into the hands of the Tawang monastery.

After such history of glory and destruction, today the Urgelling monastery houses a single temple and shelters some of the monks who lead a simple life and practice meditation and other Buddhist practices.

TAKTSANG MONASTERY:

At a distance of 45 km from the town of Tawang, also known as the tigers den the Taktsang Monastery is believed to be visited by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century. Beautiful hills snow-capped peaks surround the place. This is one of the oldest monastery of the district.

GYANGONG ANI GOMPA:

Founded by Mera Lam Lodre Gyamtso Gyangong Ani Gompa in Tawang is a beautiful Nunnery, home to a small order of Buddhist Nuns. The Nunnery is located on top of a beautiful hillock about 5 km away in the north of Tawang. The Nunnery was subsequently offered by him to his elder sister. This Ani Gompa is under the control of Tawang Monastery. The Tawang monastery provides for the every day needs of the nuns and their monastery. The Location of nunnery and the customs being followed here by the nuns reminds one of a bygone era, when Buddhism was preached in a calm and serene atmosphere.

TAWANG WAR MEMORIAL:

A beautiful stupa in the memory of the brave soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in order to protect us during Indo-China war of 1962, is at distance of 1 km from Tawang Township. It is a must visit for all visitors to pay their homage salute to the brave soldiers.

GORSAM CHORTEN:

The largest Chorten (Stupa) of the area is the one at Gorsam near Zemithang, which is about 100kms away in the north of Tawang. Lama Pradhar, a Monpa monk, constructed it most probably in the early part of eighteenth century. The hemispherical dome rests upon a three-terraced plinth. Four miniature stupas are set on the four corners of the lower most terrace of the plinth. The base is square with each side about 170ft. in length, with a niche running all along its whole length and 120 manis are set in frames of wood in the niche of each of the base.

SANGETSAR LAKE:

This lake was formed during the earthquake of 1950. The lake nestles between huge mountains and is clear and beautiful with what looked like a hundred bamboo poles standing straight up in the water all over the lake. These were actually ramrod straight trees without any branches or leaves on them growing in the lake-water. The entire scene is breath-takingly beautiful. The air is cold and biting and even in our warm clothes we felt cold. On the way there were many big and small clear mountain lakes which were also very beautiful. The lake has bare trees standing like guards in vigil.

PANGKANG TENG TSO:

It is a beautiful lake in the valley; the lake is about 17 km from Tawang town. It looks like a blue lapis ‘lazuli’ on a clear day and it’s surrounded by flowers of all colours in the month of October and blooms with snow in the winter.
On pleasant days walk to the top of the NAGULA a pilgrim place, where peaks and lakes look beautiful. You can also visit gonpa and the god gited water flowing from the pilgrims place. It is amazing to see and often it disappears underground.

NURANANG WATER FALLS:

Jung water fall or Nuranang water is at distance of 42 kms from Tawang township. The source of this fall is the Paradise Lake at Sela and several other lakes situated over Sela-Banga-Jung ranges. One can see the beautiful and majesty of the Nuranang fall near Tawangchu on the left bank of Tawang.

JASWANT GARH:

The war Memorial raised to pay homage to Jaswant Singh of 4 Batallion Garwal Rifles and many other soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the Nation. In the battle of Nurananing in 1962 during the Chinese aggression this brave son of the country showed admirable valour by fighting and holding the invading Chinese for 72 hours all alone before he met the Marty’s end. The tree where he preferred hanging to surrendering to the enemies has been preserved with great care.

SELA PASS:

This pass is on the way to Tawang at an altitude of 14000 ft. above sea level and there are two beautiful lakes. The local people hold these lakes to be sacred due to the formation of image in placid waters.

DIRANG-SANGTI VALLEY:

Dirang a unique hill station is at an altitude of 5000 ft. the area comprises of Tribal Mahayana Buddhist Monapas sharing their traditions and heritage are similar to western Bhutan. Dirang features unique flora & fauna, numerous medicinal plants have their habitat in this area. Tourist can walk around typical Monpa villages at Dirang and from Dirang you can visit Dirang Dzong, locally known as ‘JONG’ the fort at Dirang is an important historical monument for the Monpas of Dirang circle, oldest village structure built around 500 years ago represent the authority of the King/Chief and also an important center of public administration. It was also the centre of military and judicial activities concerning the entire population within its jurisdiction. Sangti Valley, winter home for the famous black neck crane and also an ideal picnic spot.

BHALUKPONG-TIPI:

The gate way and entry check gate for the East Kameng, West Kameng and Tawang District of Arunachal Pradesh is a scenic beauty surrounded by evergreen forest, located on the bank of river Kameng provides excellent opportunity for white water rafting, angling & bird watching. If you happen to be angler, it is the best spot to catch Masher with guaranteed success. An angler can also float downstream on inflated rubber boat and fish all the confluence along the way, besides Masher the other game fish of the Bhorali river are the Boka (Katli) the Sal (Murral) and the sporting little (Korang) local trout and the dreaded Goru.
An Orchadirum at Tipi 5km from Bhalukpong is the Botanical paradise of the state. Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Department of Environment and forest has established Orchid Research Centre at Tipi to promote orchid conservation. Out of 1150 species distribute in various state in India, Arunachal Pradesh alone accounts for 601 species-almost 52% of the total species known in India, thus making Arunachal Pradesh an Orchid paradise of our country.

ENTRY FORMALITIES:

Permit is required for traveling to Tawang. Indian tourists intending to visit Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) valid for 7 days and Foreign Tourists require Protected Area Permit (PAP) valid for a maximum stay of 30 days.

BEST TIME TO VISIT:

The best time to visit Tawang areas is from September to March. During this time of the year the sky remains clear with sunlight that makes the sightseeing an enjoyable experience.

HOW TO REACH TAWANG:

One can reach Tawang via Guwahati in Assam. Guwahati has daily connecting flight from various cities of the country and recently Helicopter services has also been launched for tourists, which operate twice a week but flight timings are subject to schedule periodic revisions.
By train one can reach Tawang via Guwahati and from Guwahati drive by road to Tawang.