Arunachal Pradesh – Largest sister state of Northeast India which receive the first dawn kissed by golden Sun-ray’ in India bounded by China in the north, Myanmar in the east, Bhutan in the west and the states of Assam and Nagaland in the south. Beautiful land intersected by deep gorges and turbulent rivers and streams originated from snow capped glacier mountains of Eastern Himalayan which fall into the mighty Brahmaputra River. Mostly covered under different types of forests ranging from Savana grassland to Alipine Tundra which houses various types of flora and fauna biodiversity hotspot. Ethnic tribal mostly belonging to Mongoloid race are divided into 26 major and more than 60 sub-tribes having their own identities in term of their traditional custom, dialect and the way they dressed in own ethnic pattern to differ from one to another. The people of Arunachal Pradesh have a tradition of artistic craftsmanship and sense of aesthetics manifested through a variety of crafts. Buddhism and Animistic believer take its main places as their indigeneous religion although Hinduism and Christianity laterally added.
Climate :
There are variable temperature zone as per the altitudinal variation. However almost all places in Arunachal have very pleasant atmosphere throughout the year.
Places like Tawang, Bomdila, Menchuka, Anini, Kibithu and Anjaw being higher in altitude ranging from 9000ft – 13500ft have relatively very low temperature with some snowfall in winter (December – February).
Monsoon season starts from June to August in all places.
Destinations In Arunachal Pradesh:
Pashuram Kunda is one of the important pilgrimage centre of North East India. Every year in the mid-month of January (Makar Sankranti days) pilgrim from different corner come here to take a holy dip into Lohit river -a major tributary of Mighty Brahmautra. A common belief that a dip on this day in the Kund washes away one’s sins.
Pashuram Kunda is situated in the lower reaches of the river Lohit, about 150 km from Dibrugarh Airport. It is one of the most beautiful spots in India Surrounded by the mighty Himalayas and the Luxuriant green forest. The Kunda (ppol of water) is about 70 feet long and 30 feet wide.
Wakro is the homeland of the “Mishmis” one of the Mongoliod tribes of Tibeto-Burman origin. The three major Mishmi groups are “Idus” “Tarons” and the ‘Kamans’. Mishmis are very rich in culture and may be termed as a festival loving people. The amn and womenfolk wear very bright coloured intricate hand-woven gale (Skirt) and jacket. They are shamanism believers and nature worshipper who practice various rituals with animal sacrifices time to time. Khampti is also another major tribe inhabitant in Lohit District is deeply influenced by Buddhist ethics and morality. They built their houses on stilt and roofed with Toko palm leaf.
Namdapha National Park – Perhaps the only tiger reserve in India, which does have record of having four types of big cats family. It also one of the last remaining of the few evergreen forests in the world. Situated in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, is on the eastern end of the Himalayan foothills, spread over 1850sq. kms of rugged terrain, between an altitude bracket of 200 to 4500 metres. The vegetation spans from tropical to alpine. Since the forest cover is very thick, sighting is not very easy, so one has to camp and trek through the reserve to sight any wildlife. This is true paradise for adventure and nature lover.
ROING- Situated at the foothill of Eastern Himalayan in the lower Dibang Valley District, is the beautiful gateway to Mayudia Pass and Anini Hill station. It is famous for Bishmaknagar – a hill fort made of burn bricks. It is the oldest archaeological site in Arunachal Pradesh. The ruins of the hill fort date back to Circa 12th Century A.D. It is related to the Mahabarata period when its King Bishmak had a beautiful daughter named Rukmini, who later became wife of Lord Krishna.
Mayudia, a unique hill resort, is 56 km from the district headquarter Roing. It is situated at an altitude of about 7000 ft. amidst lofty hills, lush green forest and breathtaking landscapes. The area witnesses snowfall between December and March. Thick covers of snow adds exquisite serenity to the place.
Anini: This picturesque town remain unexplored till today is the headquarter of Upper Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh where the clouds come down to kiss the land. The Idu Mishmi tribal people constitute a major community here the villages of which remain straddle along the Dibang river, Dree River and Mithun River. Considered as off the beaten track, it is a paradise for hiking lovers traversing village to village crossing the river and stream. It can be accessed by road which is some 9 hrs drive from base town Roing and they are also connected by chartered chopper.
Central Arunachal Pradesh
Ziro situated on the Apatani Plateau (in the Lower Subansiri region) at an altitude of about 9754 feet is surrounded by pine mantled hills all around. It is home to unique tribe called The Apatanis. They are one of most advanced and intriguing of Arunachal’s tribal people. Both men and women tattoo themselves and the women are distinctive with their great nose plugs (dat) made of bamboo. The Apatanis plateau is covered with permanent cultivation of paddy cum fish culture. Apatani is derived from the word Abotani, the Supreme God. The main festival are Dri, is held during the month of june.
Hong Village is the Largest Apatani village in the Apatani Plateau covering an area of 24,900 sq. meters. Other villages like Hari, Hija , Bula , Bamin and Dutta are close to each other separated by a paddy fields. Their social cohesion is so strong that they live in houses that stand one to next attached each other.
Pasighat situated at foothill basin Siang river at 155 m amsl with its scenic splendours, is Arunachal’s oldest town and also the district headquarter of East Siang once the main commercial hub of the Abor land. The region is the home of the Adi tribe who are remembered for their colourful Ponung dance. Adi tribes belonging to belong to the Tibeto-Brman group is the largest population found concentrated in Siang Districts. They have numbers of sub-tribes such as Minyongs, Panggins, Milangs so on. They worship Donyi and Polo (Sun and Moon) as ultimate creator of universe. Mopin is one of the principle festivals of Adi tribe celebrated during the first week of April every year with five days long programme.
Aalo : Pristine and scenic town lie along the valley of Siyom river is the headquarter of West Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. Most advanced tribe of Arunachal Pradesh -the Galo -found concentrated in the area yet they posses great attitude in keeping their traditions alive. Villages are worthseeing houses of which are typically built on stilt with palm leaf thatched. This beautiful town can be accessed by road which is 140 kms from Silapathar as nearest railhead town and thus from Dibrugarh being the nearest Airport.
Menchuka: Filled with the romance surrounded by lofty hills is least explored valley station of India lie at an altitude of 6000feet. It is some 6 hrs drive from Aalo town. With the name literally means the medicinal water of snow, this bowl shaped beautiful valley is covered with meadowland surrounded by snow capped peaks and evergreen pine forest. It lies only 26 kms from Mcmahan line of Indo -China border which witnessed heavy impact during Indo-china of 1962AD. Menchuka Valley is home to Memba, Adi -Ramo, Bokar and Libo tribes. Memba tribes seemingly majority in the area are belonging to Tibeto -Mongoloid community that resides in quaint wooden houses. Places to see in and around Menchuka are Samsen Yongcha Monastery -built in the 14th century , even older than the Tawang monastery.
Itanagar: Itanagar is the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh, and is also known as the “land of the dawnlit mountains”. The name Itanagar, capital of Arunachal Pradesh is derived from the Fort called “Itafort” situated in the heart of the Town. It is a historical fort of irregular shape built mainly with bricks. It is said that more than 80 lakhs of bricks were used to built this fort
WESTERN ARUNACHAL PRADESH
Tipi: 65 km from Tezpur has an Orchidarium, which is 5 km from Bhalugpong, it is the Botanical Paradise of the State. About 500 species can be seen in the Flora glass house. Some of them are endangered species. By the side of the glass house, there is an orchid museum too.
Seesa Orchid Sanctuary: 24 km from Tipi on the way to Bomdila, spread over an area of 100 sq. is Seesa Orchid Sanctuary. Over 2600 orchids representing 300 species have been cultivated in natural surroundings which is the largest in Asia.
Bomdila: 165 from Tezpur at a height of 8500 ft above sea level, Bomdila is the headquarter of West Kameng District, the land of the Mompas, Sherdukpen, Aka (Hrusso), Mijhi and the Bogun (Khawas) tribes. Beautiful town overlooking deep gorges valley and snow capped Gorichen ranges makes perfect halt spending time by strolling around the local market mainly ventured by folkwomen of Monpas and Sherdukpens.
Dirang: Beautiful valley of Kameng river dotted with hamlet of town is only 42 km from Bomdila. Sangti Valley add more beauty to Dirang with vast paddy field across. Other places of interest : Monasteries an hot spring where people take bath for curing skin ailments. Apple, Kiwi Orchard and high altitude Medicinal Plant Garden etc. Dirang Dzong – inhabited by Monpas is a perfect edifice of their traditional multi-storeyed houses built with blocks of stones and clay.
Sela Pass: It is on the way to Tawang, the second highest pass in the world at a height of 14000 ft. It runs through a small ridge along the Paradise Lake covered with flowering Rudrodendron and snow almost through out the year.
Tawang: Literally chosen by the Horse belonging to a Tibetan lama is nestled in the lap of the Himalayas at a height of about 3500 meters above sea level lies Tawang – the beautiful land of the Mompas. A picturesque canvas of mesmerizing natural grandeur, with the 17th century Tawang Monastery, perched atop a hill, overlooking the ridge and surrounded by thick clouds.
Tawang Monastery: The second largest in Asia, was built in the 17th Century AD. It is located atop a hillock at height of about 10000 ft. The 400 year old monastery is the largest of its kind in the Country and controls seventeen Gompas in the region. It is the fountainhead of spiritual life of the followers of the Gulugpa sect of the Mahayana school of Buddhism. The Tawang Monastery is associated with the famous Torgya festival which is held in the 11th Mompa month called the Dawa Chukchpah (i.e. December to January as per the Buddhist calendar).During the festival the Mompas come from far and wide wearing their traditional costume to participate in the festival.
Kalaktang: Home to Sherdukpen tribe of Arunachal Pradesh is the most common commercial town who produce massive amount of vegetables and fruits and supply to its neighbouring valleys. Sherdukpen who call themselves as “Senji Tenji” settle in north western corners of the Arunachal Pradesh close to the Bhutan and are the descendants of Tibeto-Burman tribe. Their religion is basically Buddhism.
Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary: Biodiversity paradise and centrepiece of West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh houses more than 700 species within the wide range of forest types -from tropical evergreen forests in the lower reaches to conifers and rhododendrons at the highest elevation. The most important discovery of Bugun Liochichla (Liochichla bugunorum), found nowhere else in the world lead many birding enthusiasts to think and plan their productive holiday. There are basic camps located at lama Camp and Bompu camps to stay and do birding excursion around in the sanctuary.