Northeast Diaries E06 : Tawang – A Heaven on Earth

by Adityam · November 21, 2016

On the westernmost part of Arunachal Pradesh lies a stunning land having a continuous chain of hills and mountains. Physically bounded by Tibet to the North, Bhutan to the South-west and the Sela mountain ranges in the east, Tawang is a place to set your trip.

Well connected through roads from Guwahati (capital of Assam), Tezpur and Itanagar (capital of Arunachal Pradesh); Tawang has always been an integral part of our great nation.

Having sky kissing mountain ranges all around, Tawang is very much shielded in terms of barriers. However these high altitude features remain snowcapped the whole year round and no habitation is found to exist. Fed by their turbulent distributaries, the Tawang-Chu and Nymjang-Chu are the two mian rivers of Tawang that gushes through the mountains and gorges of the place. The highest mountain peak in Tawang till date is the Gourichen, which is 22,500 feet above sea level. While the other mountain and hills generally have altitudes ranging from 3,500 feet onwards.

In terms of biological diversity, you shall catch sights of a wide variety of flora and fauna species flourishing and nurturing in its surroundings. Among the popular picks are the floral species of Blue Pines, Orchids and some local medicinal herbs. While the fauna world consists of the Snow Leopard, Must Deer, Barking Deer and few other high altitude mammals, reptiles and birds. Quiet interesting to see here that the flora and fauna species does well and enjoy the atmosphere without fear as the ethnic people never opt for hunting and trapping practices.

The residents of Tawang are predominantly the ethnic Monpa tribe who belongs to the Mongoloid race. Fair in complex and medium to tall in height, these people are very much friendly, gentle, courteous, mild and offers you an wonderful hospitality to the guests visiting by this place. You shall find in their settlements that there is a Monastery at the top of the hill surrounded by prayer flags and stone shrines along the road side.

Famous for the Great Monastery founded by his Holiness The Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso, tourist mainly flocks in here for this giant structure which has a pure essence of peace and harmony. Often you shall see that the prayer flags are printed with the words – OM MANE PEME HUNG, meaning ‘Hail to him who is born as a jewel in the Lotus’ which the locals believe that whichever direction the prayer flag flutters, the air gets purified.

Fairs and festivals are an integral part of Tawang’s glowing fame. These events are mainly related with the religion and the agricultural practices of the people. Two major festivals namely – Dungyur and Torgya are celebrated in the Tawang Monastery premises. While the Dungyur festival is held once in three years, the Torgya festival is celebrated annually in the month of January. People from every corner come here especially on these occasions to enjoy with sheer joy and peace. During these festivals the famous monastic dances are performed in the courtyard of the great Tawang Monastery. Also the Losar festival is celebrated every year at the end of February or at early March to commemorate the New Year.