ZIRO Tourism

ZIRO Tourism: The Land of Magnificence

One of the most beautiful hill stations of Arunachal Pradesh (AP), Ziro is a census town in Lower Subansiri district. It is located at an elevation of 1500 metres (m) above sea level in between the pine clad mountains. The pestilential jungles and splendid beauty of nature makes it a naturally beautiful place. The place is inhabited by more than have 50,000 friendly Apatani's people. Apatanis have few unique special characteristic features; which differentiates them from other tribes in AP and in India as well. Some unique features of this tribe are: Firstly, they are permanently settled in one place whereas other tribes are nomadic in nature, and hence move from one place to another in search of fertile lands. They travel vast area of forests and settle temporarily for not more than four to five years in one place. Secondly, Apatanis cultivate permanent wet land cultivations whereas other tribes practice dry land cultivations by clearing the forests. And thirdly, they used to practice facial tattoos before; but now the custom has been dropped. The land of Apatani's is a valley, uneven and dotted with a number of hillocks beneath the lust paddy field. The Salin peak is on the old Apatani trade route to North Lakhimpur. River Kele, drains the plain of this valley. It flows to the south for some 40 km before it meets the Panior River near Yazali. The Apatani people, who worship nature God, extend hospitality more so during festivals, such as Myoko, Murung, and Dree. They design beautiful handloom and handicrafts, besides, practicing famous paddy-fish cultivation. The area is rich in biological diversity having varied flora and fauna as per altitudinal zonation from sub-tropical to alpine forest. Ziro has highest numbers of Schools in Arunachal Pradesh. There are more than hundred private and government schools and one college. Ziro has an average literacy rate of 66%.

One of the popular practices in Zero is rearing fish in the paddy field. It is one unique feature, for which the place is so well known. Apatani agriculture is famous for its traditional irrigation system, which has made the paddy cum fish culture possible. After transplanting of paddy from the nursery in wet rice cultivation field, the fish fingerlings are put in Pakho/Hetey (channels in paddy field for drainage of water) at knee-deep height that are kept for 2 to 3 months before harvesting of fish. Though there is hardly any gap in the agriculture calendar of the Apatanis, the main activities, such as sowing starts in February and harvesting in October. The rearing of fish in the paddy fields starts from May and harvesting starts from July and continues till September.

Geography of Ziro

Ziro is the district headquarters of Lower Subansiri district, is one of the oldest towns, and one of the beautiful hill stations of Arunachal Pradesh. It is located at an elevation of 1500 m above sea level. Its cool weather in summer is its major attraction. It is famous for its pine clad gentle hills and rice field all around.

Places to See in Ziro

Tarin Fish Farm: It is 3.5 km from Hapoli town, and one of the beautiful high altitude fish farm where breeding of high altitude fishes are done. The fingerlings are sold during paddy cultivation season.

Ranganadi Hydel Project (Neepco) at Yazali: It is about 45 km from the district headquarters of Ziro. Its capacity is 405 MW.

Ziro Putu: Also called as Army Putu by the locals, it is a Hillock at old Ziro where an Army cantonment was located in sixties. From this hillock one can have bird's eye view of Ziro valley. The Airstrip is also located beneath this hillock in the midst of the scenic paddy field.

Shiva Linga at Kardo: It is about 4 km away from Hapoli town. The height of Shiva Lingam is 25 ft. and the width is 22 ft. Large number of devotees visit it every day.

Talley Valley: It has diverse flora and fauna ranging from sub-tropical to alpine forests. It is covered with impenetrable vegetations marked by giant silver fir trees, a variety of rhododendron, orchids, ferns and varieties of bamboo. This biodiversity hot spot is approximately 32 km north east of Ziro and makes a perfect route for trekking.

Kile Pakho: A ridge located at 7 km from old Ziro. In a fine morning, one can have clear bird's views of Ziro plateau on one side and snow range of Himalayas called "NYIME PEMBU" in the other.

Pine Groove: Pine clad area about 3 km from old Ziro.

Midey Tour: A place famous for gigantic SAT-NII PIISHA and SAMENII, a Blue pine tree (Pinus wallichina) being biggest and tallest tree in the Apatani valley measuring about 7 (seven) metre at GBH (girth at breast height). One can trek through bamboo groove beneath the paddy field to this see this gigantic blue pine tree, which is 2 km from old Ziro.

Dolo Mando: A hillock of legendary love affairs between Dolo and Mando. It is located at 2 km from Hapoli toward old Ziro.

D.I.C.: District Industries Centre located at 1 km from Hapoli, where traditional handlooms and handicrafts and others traditional items are displayed and also available for sale at competitive rate.

Hapoli: Headquarter of Lower Subansiri District Administration. The Deputy Commissioner's residence and Circuit House are located at a hillock from where one can have clear view of Hapoli Township.

Bamboo Groove: One stem monopodial Bamboo (Phyllotachys bamboosoides) grown with blue clad pine, is one of expert practices of farm forestry followed in this part of the world. One will appreciate their expertise when one venture inside in this groove in conjunction with hiking and picnic.

Taley wild life sanctuary: Most beautiful and virgin forests having diverse flora and fauna ranging from sub-tropical to alpine verities. It is covered with impenetrable vegetations marked by giant silver fir trees, a variety of rhododendron, orchids, ferns, and varieties of bamboo.

Dilopolyang-Maniipolyang: A twin hillock on the way to Talley Valley after crossing Siiro village is a scenic grassland land beneath the natural forests.

Myoko Festival: This festival is celebrated during the month of March every year amongst three villages namely Diibo-Hija, Hari-Bulla, and Hong of Apatani plateau on rotational basis with traditional gaiety and festivity. The festival is celebrated by the whole village for their well being, in which people from other villages are invited for local beer 'OHO' and meat, besides, merry making like BUSHII and AYU (traditional song). Each individual sacrifices the pigs during the festival.

Murung Festival: This festival is celebrated during the month of January by individuals, in which all the villagers participate. The festival is celebrated for well being of individuals and immediate kit and kin. In this, Mithuns and cows are sacrificed that are distributed to the whole villagers of Apatani before "PENII SOLIN DU" traditional festivities.

Dree Festival: This Agricultural festival is celebrated during the month of July. In this festival traditional songs and dances are performed.

Orchid and Flowers: Ziro is famous for rare orchids and other flowers, such as Rhododendron arboreum (SANJI APU), Hedychium ellipticum (PAPPI APU), Hedychium densiflorum, and so on. The climate of the area is congenial for the cultivation of orchids.

Best Time to Visit Zero

The best time to visit this place and be a part of an Apatani is in the month of January during 'Murung rituals,' in the month of March during 'Myoko rituals,' and in the first week of July during the 'Dree Festival'. The agriculture seasons from February to October are also a good time to visit Ziro.

A Major Attraction of Ziro: Shiva Lingam at Kardo Forest

According to a popular belief, the miraculous discovery of Shiva Lingam of Sidheswar Nath Temple took place in the year 2004. It was the month of Shravana, a sacred month to worship Lord Shiva. The story behind the discovery of the Lingum is like this: Nepalese, Mr Prem Subha was cutting tree standing at the right of the Lingam. The tree was expected to fell just over it, fortunately, nothing harmed it and the tree landed a few meters away from the Lingam. He felt surprised over it and looked at the rising stone. Suddenly something struck in his mind and realized that it was not a mere stone. It stood clearly visible which appealed him to believe it as Shiva Lingam. Being fully inspired with his beliefs, he started telling the people all about what he had seen and what had happened.

The mystery of this Lingam in Ziro is mentioned in the SHIVAPURANA in 17th chapter of the ninth section (Nava Khand ke Satrahwa Adhyaya) edition 1893 that the tallest Shiva Lingam will appear at a place which will be called Lingalaya and the later the whole will be known as Arunachal.

Now it makes everyone belief about the reality of its appearance. There one can see not only the Lingam, but also the image of Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha with trunk turning leftward. It is also said that the goddess of water, the Ganga lives with Lord Shiva. Therefore, the constant flow of water from the base of the Lingam can be clearly seen. The Shiva Lingum is about 4 km away from Hapoli Township. The height of Shiva Lingam is 25 ft. and 22 ft width at Kardo.

Budget Hotels in Ziro

• Blue Pine Hotel
• Pine Ridge

Ziro is a quaint old town in Arunachal Pradesh, home to the Apatani tribe and famous for its Pine Hills and rice fields. It provides tourists who are keen on trekking panoramic views of the Talle Valley, an area full of biodiversity. The climate in Ziro is mild through the year, making it comfortable to travel all year round. So, pack your bags and get ready for an experience of lifetime.