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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.
The district headquarters of West Kameng, Bomdila is a
delightful stopover amidst apple orchards, lush forests
and trekking trails where time seems to stand still. There
are a couple of picturesque gompas here and the craft
centre has a delightful range of hand-woven carpets, woven
by the local Monpa tribe. This is also home to the gentle
Sherdukpen tribes.
Nearby Dirang is famous for its gompas and colourful
Kalchakra celebrations. If your visit doesn't fit in with
its timing do visit the yak breeding centre- it can be
quite enlightening. Enjoy a dip in the enervating waters
of the local hot spring in verdant surroundings. Famous
for its apples, it has also started kiwi cultivation. In
the winter, you'll spy the black-neck crane of Ladakh
here. As you climb to the higher reaches of mountain road
to Tawang, the forest thins out and air becomes
increasingly colder.
When to visit : During the period April to
October.
How to reach : By bus and car from Tezpur, Guwahati
(Assam).
Where to stay: Circuit House, Tourist Lodge, Hotel La,
Hotel Sweet.
Clothing: Warm clothing during winters.
Nearest Airport :Tezpur, Assam.
Nearest Bus stand : Tezpur, Assam.
Nearest Railway Stn: Rangapara, Assam.
What to see: Craft centre producing very fine
carpets of colourful designs and masks and Buddhist
Monasteries.
Parasuram Kund
Thousand of pilgrims
visit this place from all parts of India every year during
Parasuram mela held in
the month of January.
The focal point of the Makar Sakranti festival in January,
Parasrum Kund is not just beautifully located it is also
steeped in tribal legend and is much venerated by Hindus.
The holy sage Parasuram is said to have wandered all over
India to atone for the sin of matricide initiated by his
father. On the advice of some sages he came to bathe in
the kund in this remote land. The axe that was stuck to
his hand fell away cleaving the mountain from which sprang
the Lohit River.
This sleepy hollow on the Arunachal - Assam border,
becomes a hive of activity during the Makar Sakranti
festival. Located 20 km from Tezu, the Lohit district is
home to the Mishmi, Singhpos and Khampti tribes. Roing
(district headquarters of the Dibang valley) is 56km away
whose original inhabitants are the Idu Mishmi tribe.
Spending time at a tribal home is the highpoint of a visit
here. Close to Roing is also the home of Rukmini, Lord
Krishna's wife at the archaeological remains at
Vismaknagar.
When to visit : During the period, November to Feb.
How to reach : By bus from Tinsukia.
Where to stay : Circuit House Tezu/ Hotels
Nearest Airport : Mohanbari (Dibrugarh).
Nearest Bus stand : Tinsukia. (direct).
Nearest Railway Stn. : Tinsukia.
What to see : P.Kund,Glow Lake, Tezu.
Tawang
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.

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 (13, 714-ft). Jaswantgarh located here is a memorial
to the brave solider who single-handedly tried to hold of
the approaching Chinese from the pass during the 1962
Indo- Chinese war. The stupa-like Tawang War Memorial also
salutes the heroes of the war.
There's a strong Tibetan presence in Tawang. Prayer flags
flutter in the breeze. Monks in their soft robes slip
silently through the market square attending their daily
chores. There are 500 of them attached to the great
monastery on its dramatic perch on the spur, a short
distance from the main town. It is supposed to be the
biggest monastery after Lhasa's Potala .The current Dalai
Lama is said to have passed through the township on his
escape from Tibet. The Urgelling monastery here is also
associated with the birth of the 6th Dalai Lama. It
features his preserved footprints and fingerprints, which
are much revered by Buddhist devotees.
The great Tawang Monastery, with its dramatic
background is eye-catching. A stunning 8 mt high gilded
statue of Buddha dominates the sanctum. The great rotating
prayer wheels…… priceless tangkhas……the drone of the monks
in prayer…sputtering butter-lamps are an evocative vision.
Its assembly hall is massive - rising 3 stories high.
Attached to the monastery is a library with priceless
manuscripts, scriptures and literature; there's a school,
huts for the monks and a great community kitchen. Its
museum has rare and beautiful tangkhas and ritual vessels
amongst other important artifacts, including some personal
possessions of the 6th Dalai Lama.
The craft centre in Tawang sells beautiful masks,
hand-woven carpets, thangkas. jewllery in silver,
turquoise, coral and amber, chubas the local dress and
delightfully affordable mementos.
The Taktsang monastery, 45km from Tawang, is also
known as the Tiger's Den. Guru Padmasmabhava is supposed
to have visited this ancient monastery in the 8th century.
Some of the other important monasteries are the Rigyalling
monastery in the deep cover of lush forest. One of the
oldest Ani Gompa (nunneries) is the Brama dung- chung Ani
Gompa, located 12 km from Tawang. Commissioned by Karchen
Yeshi Gelek in 1595 is houses about 45 nuns. The Gyangong
Ani Gompa is about 5 km from town and has about 50 nuns
living here. Built by Gonpaste Rimpoche, the Singsur Ani
Gompa, home to 45 nuns, is 28 km from Tawang. The 12th
century Gorsam Chorten at Zemithang, the largest in the
area, is 92 km from Tawang.
When to visit: During the period, April to October.
How to reach: By bus from Tezpur(Assam) or Bomdila
Where to stay:Circuit House, Inspection Bungalow, Hotel
Nichu, Hotel Shangrila.
Clothing :Warm clothing throughout the year
Nearest Airport: Tezpur(Assam).
Nearest Bus stand : Bomdila.
Nearest Railway Stn: Rangapara(Assam).
What to see: 400 years old famous Buddhist |