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Best time to Visit |
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June to October
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Tawang
the headquarters of the Tawang district
located on the Western tip of the state
on a mountain side at 12000 ft above
sea level, is the land of the Monpa
tribes and a major centre of the Mahayana
Buddhists. The area of the district
is approximately 2,085-sq-kms bordered
by Tibet in the North, Bhutan in the
Southwest and Sela ranges separate West
Kameng district in the East. 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.
Tawang was at part of the Kingdom of
Tibet during the medieval times. It
was ruled by the local tribal rulers
from time to time. It was declared as
the off-limits area in 1873 AD. The
area around Tawang was the reason of
disagreement between India and China
after the Independence of India in 1947.
Tawang was invaded by the Chinese army
in 1962 but they later withdrew. |
| Do
you know...? |
Tawang
is an important centre of Buddhist learning
and is particularly famous for its 400
year old gompa, one of the best known
in India. The Tawang Gompa houses a
beautifully gilded 8 metre high statue
of the Buddha and a number of equally
remarkable idols, thangkas and murals.
Another interesting feature is that
the Tawang is still "alive"
in today's world. Its library is a repository
of thousands of block-printed commentaries
and treatises on the subject of Mahayana
Buddhism. This is a valuable resource
for Buddhist scholars in the region.
Even the paper used is produced by the
Monpas locally, from the bark of the
Hong Seng tree.
Tawang is called by several names like
the Beautiful Land of Monpas. The inhabitants
of the districts are all of Monpa tribes
except Shyo village, which is dominated
by people of Tibetan origin. The Monpas
belong to Mongoloid stock, are well
built, and fair in complexion. Their
houses are built with stones and timbers.
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry are
the fundamental means of the Monpas
occupation. |
| Prime Attractions in Tawang |
Today,
the Tawang is very rich in tourist spots.
A nature lover's paradise, the famous
hill resort of Tawang offers a lot of
sites to visit. Few of them are –
Choekhor, after the crops are sown
and when there is little agricultural
activity, in the seventh month of
lunar calendar, a rite known as "Choekor"
is organized in the villages by the
whole village community with the aim
of providing supernatural protection
to the crops sown, for good harvest
and to drive away evil spirits.
Losar, the New Year festival, called
"Losar", is perhaps the
most important festival of Tawang
District. It generally falls in the
last part of February or early part
of March and is celebrated with lots
of gaiety and festivity, which lasts
for 8 to 15 days.
Monpa Festival, Monpas have a colourful
festive heritage. The festivals are
associated with agricultural practices
and religious occasions. Some Important
festivals of the area include Losar,
Saga Dawa, Dukpa Tse-Shi, Lhabab Duechen,
Ganden Ngamchoe, Torgya.
Monpa Tribe, the picturesque Tawang
girdled by lofty hills, is the home
of the Monpas. There are various versions
how this land came to be known as
' Tawang'. The Monpas are of Mongoloid
descent. There are legends that the
Monpas emigrated from Bhutan and Tibet
at different times.
Saga Dawa, the fourth month as per
lunar calendar is regarded as the
holiest period for the Buddhists.
This month marks the birth of Lord
Buddha, his attainment of supreme
enlightenment and his passing into
the state of nirvana. It normally
falls in the month of May.
Tawang Monastery, Merak Lama Lodre
Gyamtso founded the famous "Galden
Namgyal Lhatse", popularly known
as Tawang Monastery in the year 1860-61.
The monastery stands on the spur of
a hill, about 10,000 feet above sea
level.
Torgya, is a monastic festival held
every year for three days starting
from 28th day of the eleventh month
of the lunar calendar, which generally
falls in the last part of January
in order to drive off evil forces
and toward off any natural calamity.
Urguelling Monastery, about 5-km
to the south of Tawang Township stands
the Urgelling monastery. It was first
of the three monasteries built by
Urgen Sangpo, the youngest brother
of Terton Pempalingpa, the famous
Treasure-Revealer.
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| How
to reach |
Tawang
can easily access through air, train
and bus.
By Air: The nearest
airport to Tawang is at Tezpur, Assam.
There are daily flights of Indian Airlines,
jet Airways and Sahara Airlines up to
Guwahati.
By Rail: The nearest
railhead to Tawang is at Rangapara,
Assam.
By Road: The nearest
bus station is at Bomdila. It is well
connected with other towns by buses. |
| So,
what are you waiting for...!!Just
pack your bags and Get going for the
most adventurous vacation of your lifetime
in Tawang with us. |
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