VISIT TO THE HEAVENLY & DIVINE PARADISE : TAWANG DISTRICT OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH

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About TAWANG:

It is one of the 16 districts of Arunachal Pradesh formed after splitting from West Kameng in 1989.Situated at 10000ft above m.s.l,it boasts of having the largest monastery in India and second largest in the world after Lhasa monastery in Tibet.Tawang monastery was founded by Merek Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1681 at the behest of 5th Dalai Lama named Tawang Galdan Namgye Lhatse.It has a commanding view of Tawang river valley comprising the snow-capped mountains and corniferous forest. Monastery is triple- storied with assembly Hall ,ten functional structures with 65 residential quarters for students ,Lamas& monks,a school &its own water supply system and a Centre for Buddhist Cultural studies. Monpas belonging to the Gelug sect are the dominant sect of Kameng region.Monpas boys join the monasteries and become Lamas.Religion is Tibetan Buddhism.Main festivals are Choksar,Losar,Ajilamu & Tongya. A visit to Tawang requires an Innerline permit issued by Concerned Govt Officers based in Kolkatta,Guwahati ,Tejpur & New Delhi. Tawang was historically part of Tibet.The 1914-Simla Accord defined the Mahon line deviding British India &Tibet. Tibet lost its independence in 1950. In the 1962 Sino-India war ,Tawang was salvaged from the Chinese invasion & is proudly part of India as on date.The current Dalai Lama(14th) fled from Tibet in 1959 to escape from Chinese Army and spent most of the time in Tawang before shifting to Tejpur. A bi-weekly helicopter service was started from Guwahati in Oct.2014.Places of interest around Tawang are Bhalukpong, Bomdila, Dirang, Sela pass,Madhuri Lake,PTso Lake Bumla pass, Begam hill, Helmet top Maitri-sthal

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TAWANG TOUR (06/10/2008 to 11/10/2008)

We, a family of 4 persons,perfomed the Tejpur to Tawang journey by road passing through amazing spots of unimaginable sceinic beauty.

Day-1- Tejpur to Bomdila :

Started the tour by Tata Sumo via Nameri & Bhalukpong .At Bhalukpong, we got our Innerline Permits checked for entering into Arunachal Pradesh being border point.Proceeded to Bomdila where we visited the monastery and took a hotel for nightstay.

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Day-2- Bomdila to Dirang :

On the way enjoyed the picturesque views of mountains & watersprings ,watched young Lamas playing football near a Gompa & we also participated in the game.Also paid a visit to the 450 years old Dirang Gompa.Then we had an early dinner,took a Tent Hotel accommodation (which was very comfortable & cozy) by the side of Kameng river.We felt mesmerized by the sound of the rustling of tree leaves due to breeze & musical gurgling of the river currents.We felt very fresh on waking up.

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Day-3-Dirang to Tawang :

morning we took bath in the warm water spring flowing near our Tent accommodation believed to have some medicinal significance. On the way we crossed the Sela Pass(at 13700 ft) having a heavenly aura about it. Had a nice walk viewing the surroundings all so beautiful as far as our sight could reach. Also watched the Nuranang waterfalls which was a treat to the eyes.Reached Tawang in the evening &it was like a dream come true. Took a hotel and had a good nights rest.

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Day-4-Tawang monastery & War memorial visit:

Paid visit to the historical Gompa & proceeded to see the War memorial built in memory of the soldiers who laid their lives in the Indo-Chinese war in 1962 to protect and salvage Tawang . Also paid our solemn tributes to Subedar Joginder Singh who was killed in the 1962 war fighting fiercely with enemy till his last breath.

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Day-5-Tawang to Bumla, China border ,Maitri sthal ,Madhuri lake, PTso lake:

First of all we proceeded to the Bumla pass and Maitri sthal on the Indo-China border.Indian soldiers (the Sikh regiment) gave us a warm welcome and we reciprocated by giving them a crisp salute to exhibit honour for the noble services/duties they are rendering to the nation.We forgot our tiredness (arisng out of lower Oxygen levels)seeing the rare spectacle which we watched unblinkingly. We watched the Begum hill, the Helmet Top on the China border and felt high on emotions about the atmosphere there. On our way back we turned towards Sangster lake at Y junction.It is popularly called the Madhuri lake for the shooting of the film Koyala featuring Madhuri Dixi, Also went to see the picturesque PTso lake quite near to it.Bumla-Pass is believed to be the escape route of Dalai Lama from Tibet to Tawang.It is at 16500 ft altitude.Finally we returned to Tawang and took night rest.

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Day-6-Return from Tawang to Tejpur:

In the morning we went to a good restaurant for having some tasty local cuisine. Out of curiosity ,we checked the complete menu of local dishes:Rice,bambooshoot,pika pila,lukter, pehak, apang ,marua ,chura ,Thupka ,khasi ,khu,rachang,gyapa-khazi ,puta ,bresi and momos .After the wholesome meal we started back on our return journey to Tejpur and reached safely in late evening hours thanking the Almighty for bestowing us the opportunity to visit such a magnificent place full of peaceful serenity of the monasteries, picturesque vistas of the breathtaking sceneries with great feeling of breathing in a very healthy atmosphere devoid of any kind of pollution. It was an amazing & unforgettable tour.