A place with milk snow-mantled peaks and pebbles with cool breeze, zigzag roads, jungles and lush green trees, it is an unique place called Tawang, situated in one of the North Eastern states, Arunachal Pradesh,North Eastern India. It is as if Nature has cast a spell over this land – weaving an unbroken magical chain of mountains leading to lakes, lakes leaping as waterfalls into rivers, rivers disappearing into mountain caverns – a continuous web of pristine glory.
Moored high up in the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, at 3500 meters above sea level, it is the beautiful land of Monpas with the attractions like: The Hidden Paradise or Land of Dawn-lit mountains. The immense scenic beauty of the place which can compete with the best in the world, countless number of shimmering silvers-the Lakes, Cascades of Crystals- the waterfalls, the Healing Hotspots-the hot springs and the clean unpolluted air attract thousands of people from India and abroad who just want to enjoy the nature in peace. The area of the district is approximately 2,085-sq-kms bordered by Tibet in the North, Bhutan in the Southwest and Sela ranges separate West Kameng district in the East. The name Tawang derives from some bearings on surroundings. But people's interpretation is that the name Tawang was given by Merak Lama in the 17th century.
It will be a mystical journey to a destination far too divine to describe in words. Perhaps it's a paradise on this very earth itself. The burning social problems are also there but still the people of this place full of good humour and brevity to overcome the every unpleasant moment of life.Journey to Tawang is a unforgettable experience, the Jia Bharuli flows with its majestic sounds along with the chirping of birds that gives an universe full of peace and joy which has become a dream for the city dwellers. The hill town is quite like the last frontier, strategically placed between China, Tibet and Myanmar.
The whole area is thinly populated with the approximate population of 34705. The local language of the area is Mompa other then this most of the people understand and speak Hindi and English. The Monpas belong to Mongoloid stock, are well built, and fair in complexion. Their houses are built with stones and timbers. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry are the fundamental means of the Monpas occupation. The place is perfect for religious as well as adventure tourism amidst unexplored scenic beauty. With its centuries-old great fortress monastery against the dramatic setting of the snow -mantled peaks, Tawang is accessible by car in a dramatic drive through mesmeric alpine country.
The sinuous road to Tawang passes through the dragon gates on the awesome heights of the great Sela Pass, world's second highest pass, it is 13,714 feet high. Thousands and thousands of Army officers and jawans sacrifice their lives here in 1962 for the sake of their motherland. On a big stone one can see a piece of heart touching writing, “For your tomorrow, we gave our today”. Jaswantgarh located here is a memorial to the brave solider Jaswant Singh, Mahavir Chakra awardee, an ultimate patriot who single-handedly tried to hold of the approaching Chinese from the pass during the 1962 Indo- Chinese war. "Baba" or Saint Jaswant Singh was a Jawan in the Rajputana Regiment, posted at Arunachal Pradesh before the outbreak of the Chinese invasion in 1962. Single-handedly he kept the enemy at bay by using all the ammunition left behind giving the impression to the Chinese army as though the entire battalion was in action. It’s windy and usually misty up at Sela; the grass cover is thin, there are no trees, and a little beyond the Pass are two glacial lakes where tiny mountain birds flutter about.
The one of the most attractive lake in the area is Sangetsar Lake, popularly known as Madhuri Lake(named after one of the famous actor of Indian Movie). Madhuri Lake evoke that is at once beautiful, glamorous and sensual. What could lie beneath its watery vestment? Madhuri Lake, 42 km from Tawang, was formed in 1950 following a major earthquake. Its bed, once a forested slope, sank in the tremor, taking with it the forest of tall pine trees. As water filled in, the trees died but their bare lofty trunks remained, standing sentinel over the serene blue lake that’s encircled by high mountains. It’s a sight so picturesque it could catch anybody’s imagination. The present name of the lake is the work of director of the Hindi film Koyla (1997) who chose it as location for the shooting of a song, starring Madhuri Dixit.
Brooding in solitary splendour, with a grand view of the snowy Himalayas, is the Tawang Monastery.Perched atop a ridge and surrounded by thick clouds and perennial mist, the Tawang Monastery seems to be suspended from heaven in an equally ethereal space. An important centre of Buddhist learning, Tawang Ganden Namgyal Lhaste, popularly known as the Tawang or Gompa Monastery, is a 400 years old Mahayana Sect Buddhist Monastery, one of the biggest in India, is beautifully situated on a distance about 2 km from the heart of the town. The Tawang Gompa house has a beautifully gilded 8 meter high statue of the Buddha and a number of equally remarkable idols, thangkas and murals. The Monastery was founded by the monk Mera Lama, a contemporary of the fifth Dalai Lama. The sixth Dalai Lama was born here. The Tawang Monastery has an interesting collection of Thangkas (Tibetan painting on cloth) and a large gilded statue of Sakyamuni (the historical Buddha) in the prayer hall. In spite of being a peaceful and solitary retreat, the Tawang gompa buzzes with activity and its craft centre produces intricately woven carpets.
The ‘Parkhang’ hall of the monastery houses the library which boasts rare hand written and block-printed Thankas or 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 are beautiful lakes around Tawang. One is Pankang Teng Tso (P.T. Tso) lake. It is a fetching heaven for tourist only 17 KM away from maddening crowd of township. It is a beautiful natural site and provide tourist a lucky chance for deep communion with nature. Other eye catching lakes are Sangetser Lake, Banggachang Lake.
The Tibetan Buddhist festival of Losar is celebrated in the month of February–March every year with great fanfare in the Tawang monastery. Tawang is famous for its annual Buddha Mohatsava in the month of October every year, where the inflow of tourists both from outside and inside India, touch the topest level of interest. In this festival the main attraction is the Tawang Monestry and the dances performed by the local people by wearing different kind of masks. In Tawang, we can also enjoy the excitement of rock-climbing, paragliding, skating and other winter sport activities.
One can reach Tawang from their parts of the country via any International Airports in India and via Guwahati(Assam,India) and Tezpur(Assam,India). The nearest airport is Tezpur which is 345 km from Tawang and the nearest Railhead is Bhalukpong at 280 kms. An hour and half beyond Tezpur and the road enters jungle country. The mountains come soon after, as you cross into Arunachal Pradesh at the border town of Bhalukpong. Thick fog often shrouds the hill road at places, giving an eternal joy to the mind. By early afternoon, you get your first view of Bomdila, the district town perched high on the mountain. Buses and Taxi ply regularly from Bomdilla to Tawang which is 180 km.
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