Tawang The area of the district is approximately 2085 sq. km.

bordered by Tibet in the North, Bhutan in the South-West and Sela ranges separate West Kameng district in the East. Tawang Township The name TAWANG derives from some bearings on surroundings. But people's interpretation is that the name TAWANG was given by Mera Lama in the 17th century. One can reach Tawang from other parts of the country via Guwahati and Tezpur in Assam. From Guwahati(Assam) or Tezpur(Assam), one has to go to Bhalukpong in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh and from there via Bomdila and Sela Pass one can go to Tawang by road. The inhabitants of the districts are all of Monpa tribes except Shyo village which is dominated by people of Tibetian origin. The Monpas belong to Mongoloid stock. They are well built, fair in complexion. Their houses are built with stones and timbers. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry are the fundamental means of the Monpas occupation. Tawang Monastery is one of the most important element in Social and Religious life of the Monpas. This Monastery is known as "GALDEN NAMGYEL LHATSE". It is one of the most largest Lamaseries of Mahayana sect in Asia. Lamseries comprise of several sections ranging near about four hundred years, devoted to Love, Learning and Purity of life. Tawang Monastery tawang monastery library (17710 bytes) This fortified complex covers an area of 135 sq. meters enclosed by a compound wall of 610 meter long. Within the complex there are 65 residential buildings and 10 other structures. The library have valuable old scriptures mainly Kanjur and Tanjur numbering 850 bundles. It is dated back to 17th century A.D. There are two major religious festivals of the Monpas viz "LOSAR" and "TORGYA". Both festivals are celebrated once annually. The LOSAR s celebrated to the commencement of New year. Every third year of Torgya, the festival of Dungyur is celebrated. Both "Dungyur and Torgya" festivals are celebrated at the premises of the Tawang Monastery with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm. Losar/Torgya Festival P.T. Tso Lake 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. When to visit How to reach During the period, April to October. By bus from Tezpur(Assam) or Bomdila

Where to stay Circuit House, Inspection Bungalow, Hotel Nichu, Hotel Shangrila. Clothing Nearest Airport Nearest Bus stand Nearest Railway Stn Warm clothing throughout the year Tezpur(Assam). Bomdila. Rangapara(Assam).

What to see

400 years old famous Buddhist

Parasuram kund Parasuram kund is located 13 miles north-east of Tezu,District Headquaters of Lohit district - a growing town, famous for its scenic beauty. Thousand of pilgrims visit this place from all parts of India every year during Parasuram mela held in the month of January. Parasuram Kund When to visit How to reach Where to stay Nearest Airport Nearest Bus stand Nearest Railway Stn. Bhismaknagar It is located in Dibang Valley district and is a sacred heritage of the Idu Mishmis. It is a symbol of past glory and indicate the high standard of civilisation that once prevailed around Bhismaknagar. Bhismaknagar must have been a strong hold of the Chutiyas (12th-16th centuries) but the excavations has been throwing new light on its much earlier antiquities. Bhismaknagar stands for what is best in the tribal and Aryans way of life. It speaks for the Catholic spirit of the ancient Indians and the contribution made by the Idus to the synthetic fabric of Indian culture. Today Bhismaknagar has become the nucleus of a renaisance a determination of a sturdy race to revive its traditional culture, while accepting everything that is progressive. When to visit How to reach Where to stay Nearest Airport Nearest Bus stand Nearest Railway Stn. What to see Malinithan Malinithan is a temple site in ruins. It is situated at the foot of the Siang hills under the Likabali Sub-Division of West Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. It is only 1 Km east of Likabali, the nearest administrative centre. Relics of stone images of Malinithan came to be noted from the early twenties of the present century. In course of series of excavation from 1968 and ending 1971, ruins of temples and valuable scriptures were unearthed at this site. The fame of Malinithan as a holy place of worship draws a large number of visitors and piligrims. Plinth of temple after excavation : During the period, November to Feb. : By Bus/Taxi from Tinsukia. (about 100 Kms) : Circuit House Roing, Inspection Bunglow Sunpura : Mohanbari (Dibrugarh). : Tinsukia. (direct). : Tinsukia. : Archaeological ruins of Bhismaknagar. : During the period, November to Feb. : By bus from Tinsukia. : Circuit House Tezu/ Hotels : Mohanbari (Dibrugarh). : Tinsukia. (direct). : Tinsukia.

The site excavated has beautifully designed and decorated basement of a temple, divine images, icons of deities, animal motifs and floral designs, carved columns and panels. These rich granite sculptures belong to 14 -15 century , the more important being Indra on Airavat, Surya on Chariot and huge Nandi bull. The temple dedicated to Goddess Durga at Malinithan is built on the classical tradition of Orissa. . According to the local legend associated with the place, Lord Krishna carried away Rukmini the daughter of King Bhismaka on the eve of her marriage with Shishupal. Krishna and Rukmini were welcomed here by Parvati with garlands. Parvati thus acquired the name Malini and the place Malinithan. When to visit How to reach Throughout the year By bus or car from Guwahati(Assam), by bus from Itanagar

Where to stay At Likabali : Circuit House Nearest Airport Helipad at Along, Mohanbari(Assam) Nearest Bus stand Nearest Railway Stn What to see Akashiganga Akashiganga is believed to be associated with the legend of Parvati narrated in the 8th century Kalika Purana. It is said that Lord Shankar roamed in the sky with the dead body of Parvati (Sati). To bring him out of attachment for the dead body Lord Vishnu using his 'Sudarshan Chakra' cut the body into pieces. During this process it is said that one of the body piece fell in the area which is 12 Km from Malinithan towards Along in West Siang District. This place is called Akashi Ganga and is very popular as a sacred place. There is a temple near the road. From there one has to go down 100 meters down through a spiral path, where a sparkling object can be seen in the 'Kund' but on going more down the object is invisible. Devotees take bath in this kund. The place also provides a magnificent bird's eye view of the Brahmaputra river glimmering far below. Namdapha Located in the Changlang district, Namdapha is famous for its wild life sanctury, which has been declared as a national park. It is a few kilometers away from Miao For the truly dedicated wilderness and wildlife fan, a visit to the Namdapha National Park is challenging, covering a wide range of altitudes from 200 mtrs. to 4,500 mtrs. The park largely inaccessible, has diverse habitats and flora and fauna that are typical of this area. The majestic gaur or mithun, elephant, Himalayan black bear, takin, the wild goat peculiar to the Patkoi range, musk deer, slow loris, binturong Namdapha rest home and the red panda are all found here. The predators include the tiger, leopard, the rare snow leopard and clouded leopard in the higher reaches of the hills. The white winged wood duck a rare and endagered species, has been shelter in the park. Tigers at Namdapha A number if primate species are seen in the park, such as Assamese macaque, pig-tailed macaque and the distinctive hoolock gibbon, Hornbills, jungle fowl and pheasnats flap their noisy way through the jungle, which harbours other Silapathar, Assam Silapathar, Assam

Ancient ruins of 14-15th century

colourful bird species. The inacessibility of the greater part of the park has helped to keep the forests in their pristine state. When to visit During the period, October to April. How to reach By Jeep and Gypsy from Miao Where to stay At Miao : Inspection Bunglow , Tourist Lodge, Circuit House (Contact Extra Asstt. Commissioner) At Namdapha : Inspection Bunglow Nearest Airport Mohanbari (Dibrugarh, Assam) Nearest Bus stand Nearest Railway Stn What to see Itanagar Itanagar has been the capital of Arunachal Pradesh since 20th April 1974. Itanagar is situated at the foothills. The township is situated at 350 metres above mean sea level. It comes administratively under Papumpare district. The Nishis or Nishings is the major tribe in Itanagar area. However, Itanagar can be called as mini India, as people from all over the country, live here in harmony. As a capital town, Itanagar is well connected with the rest of the country by road and air communications. Pawan Hans provides helicopter service between Guwahati and Naharlagun(Itanagar). Deluxe buses are available from Guwahati. Itanagar is the capital of India's largest North Eastern state. Here one can find historical fort called Itafort, dating back to the 14-15 centuries, after which it is named. The capital houses the Rajbhawan , the official residence of the Governor has also many worth visiting places in and around Itanagar. Ita fort at present These include legendary Ganga Lake (Gyakar Sinyi). It is a beautiful picnic spot, 6 kms away from Itanagar, a green forest lake surrounded by primeval vegetation, orchids masses on tall trees, tree ferns provides a small taste of the magnificent forests of the state. Interior of Budhist Gompa at Itanagar Consecrated by the Dalai Lama, the Buddhist temple, a beautiful yellow roofed shrine reflects the extensive Tibetan influence and provides good views of Itanagar and the surrounding countryside. Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum provides a kaleidoscope of Arunachal Pradesh and one can see wood carvings, musical instruments, textiles, handicrafts and archeological finds, while a workshop in the Handicrafts Centre specializes in traditional cane manufacture. It has a library section also. Other important places of interest around Itanagar is Donyi-Polo Vidya Bhawan a Premier Publics School, NorthEastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology(Nirjuli) - a engineering insitute providing innovative way of education, Arunachal University (Doimukh) and Government Piggery and Poultry Farm (Nirjuli), Indira Gandhi Park. Margherita( Tinsukia, Assam). Margherita( Tinsukia, Assam).

Namdapha National Park.

Itanagar has been identified with Mayapur, the capital of the 11th century AD JItri dynasty. When to visit How to reach Guwahati(Asssam) Where to stay Circuit House, Field Hostel, Hotel Donyi Polo Ashok, Hotel Itafort, Hotel Bomdila, Hotel Arunachal, Hotel Subansiri, Hotel Simang, Hotel Chandni, l Blue Pine Hotel etc. Nearest Airport Tezpur(Asssam), Lilabari (Asssam)(71 Kms). Nearest Bus stand Tezpur(Asssam), Banderdewa, Guwahati(394Kms) (Asssam) , North Lakhimpur(Asssam). Nearest Railway Stn What to see Itafort, Buddhist Monastery, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Museum, Ganga Lake, Indira Gandhi Park. Bomdila Bomdila is a beautiful small town situated at a height of about 8000 ft. above the sea level from where one can see the brilliant landscape and snow-clad mountains of the Himalayan Range. The Buddhist monastery of Bomdila is the repository of culture and is among primary attractions of the area. Bomdila is the headquarters of West Kameng district located at the height of 8500 ft above the sea level. It has a lot of attractions for the tourists with its cool climate, Apple orchards, artistic people, snow-capped Himalayan peaks and Buddhist Gompas. The Buddhist monastery of Bomdila is the repository of culture.. This place has a tourist lodge, a craft centre displaying local crafts and a shopping centre where the visitors gets first feel of the local version of Himalayan Buddhist life. Local site seeing to Dirang valley and the famous Sela Pass (13,700 ft. M.S.L.) are thrilling experience on the way to Tawang. The Orchid Research and Development Station at Tippi and two other Orchid conservation sanctuaries located at Sessa and Dirang are worth seeing places. When to visit How to reach During the period April to October. By bus and car from Tezpur, Guwahati (Assam). Harmuti.(32 Kms)(Asssam) Round the year By bus from Banderdewa, North Lakhimpur(Asssam), Tezpur(Asssam) and

Where to stay Circuit House, Tourist Lodge, Hotel La, Hotel Sweet. Clothing Nearest Airport Nearest Bus stand Nearest Railway Stn What to see Warm clothing during winters. Tezpur, Assam. Tezpur, Assam. Rangapara, Assam.

Craft centre producing very fine carpets of colourful designs and masks and Buddhist Monasteries.