Tawang Tour

Tawang Tour: God's Own Paradise

God's own paradise, as Tawang is rightly known, is the world of mystics and enchanting beauties. It forms the western most district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is situated at a height of 10,000 ft. above mean sea level with Tibet in the north, Bhutan in the south west, and Sela range of West Kameng in the East. It is the home of Monpa tribe. Tawang is believed to have derived its name from the grandiose Tawang Monastery perched on the edge of the ridge running along the western part of Tawang Township. Ta means Horse and Wang means chosen. As the legend goes the site of the present monastery is believed to have chosen by a Horse owned by Merag Lama Lodre Gyamtso. Mera Lama Lodre Gyamtso who was on a search for an appropriate place to establish Monastery was unable to locate any appropriate site so, finally decided to sit on prayer for a guidance of a divine power. As he opened his eyes after prayer, he found his horse missing. So, wearily he went out searching his horse and found it on the top of the hill known as Tana Mandekhang where once stood a palace of King Kala Wangpo. Believed it a good omen, Mera Lama Lodre Gyamtso decided to initiate a work for building up of a monastery with the help of people living across the land of Monpas. This Monastery was founded by Mera Lama Lodre Gyamtso in late 1681 according to the wishes of 5th Dalai Lama. However, there is another belief of derivation of name Tawang. The great treasure Revealer, Terton Pemalingpa gave initiation, such as Tamdin and Ka-gyad, and hence the place came to be known as Tawang (Ta an abbreviation of Tamdin; Wang means initiation). This land is also known by Monyul because of its low lying area dwelled by Monpas.

The picturesque Tawang girdled by lofty hills, is the home of the Monpas. The Monpas are of Mongoloid descent. There are legends that the Monpas immigrated from Bhutan and Tibet at different times, but the circumstances under which the migration took place and time of the first settlers in the present habitat is obscure. The oldest record where-in the mention of this region appears is in the Tibetan epic- "Dowa Sangmo"- which dates back to the 7th century AD. In the epic, we find mention of a place called 'Tana Mandegang' from where the king Kala Wangpo ruled. The Monpas are Buddhist by religion and the Tawang Monastery is the fountainhead of their spiritual life. Before adopting Buddhism as their religion, they were believers in the Bon faith-a-faith characterized by spirit worship and sacrifice of animals. Their main occupations are trade and breeding of yaks and other cattle. Monpas are known for terraced cultivation and production of potatoes.

History about Tawang:

The Origin of Tawang is obscure. It was a part of the kingdom of Tibet in medieval times. Local tribal rulers governed it from time to time. The British had declared this area as off-limits in 1873. The area around Tawang became a cause of disagreement between India and China, after India gained independence in 1947. The Chinese army invaded Tawang in 1962, but they later withdrew. Tawang got its name because of the presence of a monastery. About 400 years old, the monastery is one of the oldest and the largest in Asia and can house more than 700 monks. It controls 17 Gonpas and a few nunneries of this region.

Geography of Tawang City:

Physiography of Tawang is a thinly populated mountainous tract the district is surrounded by the Tibet in the North East, Bhutan in south West, and West Kameng district in the south East.

Climate of Tawang: Higher Himalayan region (Alpine) experiences snowfall. Remaining portion of the district represents sloping mountainous of lesser Himalayan range and experience a cool and pleasant climate.

Fairs and Festivals of Tawang

Major festivals of this place are as follows:

• Losar
• Torgya
• Choekor
• Gaden Ngamchoe
• Dukpa Tse-She
• Saka Dawa

Art and Craft of Tawang

Monpas possess a great skill in craftsmanship, which is quite apparent in the beautifully designed traditional and artistic crafts available in the local market for the customers to buy. These crafts are also available in the Govt. craft centre. Wood carving works, carpet weaving, utensils made of bamboo and wood are exquisitely beautiful. Some of the art facts made of wood are as follows:

• Dolom
• Wooden Mask
• Zarku
• Zan-Shanpu
• Tok Tse and Tun
• Zan-Gya
• Sheng-Khlem
• Gruk

Traditional Dances

• Aji Lhamu dance
• Yak dance
• Lion and Peacock dance

Tourism Attractions of Tawang

As rightly explained "Sans urban trappings and star comforts, yet a bit of paradise still left on earth."

A splendid canvas of unspoiled scenic beauty. Where the first rays of sun kiss the snowy peaks to a blushing rose and the last fills the saucer of the shivering sky to its brim with countless starts. The sight of the tranquil water of lakes, rivers, and of numerous high water falls reflecting the color of blue sky and sometimes hovering clouds overhead gives a very heart touching sensational experience to the visitors. Occasionally, the appearance of the mist enveloping the rivers and lakes and valleys reveals a pure beauty inherent in nature in this hidden paradise. The true lovers of nature who wish to enjoy the Nature in true sense, this hidden paradise welcome them. The best season the visitor can choose for coming to Tawang is between September and November. This time is ideal with clear weather and a little chill in the air. Snow covered landscape can be experienced between December and March.

How to Reach Tawang

One can reach Tawang from other parts of the country via Guwahati and Tezpur in Assam. Upto Guwahati there is daily flight of Indian Airline, Jet Airways, and Sahara Airlines from Delhi. There are flights from Kolkata and other parts of the country as well. From Guwahati/Tezpur Tawang is 13 km by road and Tezpur is 10 hours. So, it is necessary to halt on the way in Bhalukpong/Bomdila/Dirang in west Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. Next day one can reach Tawang by passing through beautiful Sela pass located at height of 14,000 ft. above sea level. Recently, Tawang is also connected with daily flight service from Guwahati and twice in a week on Wednesday and Saturday from the capital city Itanagar. Accommodation facilities, such as Government rest house, tourist lodge, and hotels are available on the way to Bhalukpong Bomdila and Dirang. Apart from enjoying throughout the drive, the visitors can see a number of monasteries on the way.

China Wrecks Indian Wall near Tawang

Chinese soldiers damaged a wall erected by India in the disputed area near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh in an incident being termed as the most important one along the Sino-Indian border this summer. A senior government official said the Chinese soldiers came across to the particular part of Yangtze where India has a wind-breaker wall, stretching for almost 200 meters (m), and damaged it. The wall, which is a few feet tall and from behind, which Indian soldiers carry out occasional monitoring, is an old structure.

During the Sino-Indian war of 1962, Tawang briefly fell under Chinese control. The valiant last stand of Mahavir Chakra awardee Jaswant Singh Rawat took place in Tawang. After the voluntary withdrawal of Chinese troops, Tawang again came under Indian administration. In recent years, China has routinely voiced its claims on most of Arunachal Pradesh, especially Tawang, and both nations have regularly accused the other of troop incursions of a few kilometers or less.

So, if one wants to enjoy the nature's paradise, Tawang is the right choice.