State : Arunachal Pradesh, the north eastern state of India.
Best time to travel : April To October.
Location: 180-km From Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh. Tawang is located in a remote part of India amongst the lofty Himalayan ranges.
Know Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh
The land of Monpas, Tawang is a district of Arunachal Pradesh situated at a height of 10,000 ft from the sea level. Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is a major kernel of Buddhist learning and is particularly well-known for its 400 year old monastery (Tawang Monastery), one of the best known and largest in India. The name Tawang was derived from this monastery. It is also believed that, the name Tawang was given by Mera Lama in the 17th century. Before the establishment of this monastery, Tawang was a centre of Tantric religion. Apart from its religious importance, Tawang is famous for its natural beauty, which attracts and enchants the traveler.
Journey to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh
Airport : The nearest airport is at Tezpur about 345 km from Tawang. From here you can easily reach Tawang by bus.
Railhead : Bhalukpong (285 km) and Rangapara (Assam) are is the nearest railhead from Tawang.
Road Transport : Buses and Taxi ply regularly from Tezpur (Assam) and Bomdilla to Tawang which is 180 km and takes 10 hrs. It is connected by road with other towns in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam via Bomdila.
NOTE :
Indian tourists : Indian tourists visiting Arunachal Pradesh require an Inner Line Permit, which takes approximately three weeks to be issued.
Foreign tourists : Foreign tourists intending to visit Tawang must obtain Restricted Area permit from Commissioner (Home), Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh.
Staying in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh
Accommodation in the form of Circuit House, Inspection Bungalow, Hotel Nichu, Hotel Shangrila are available near Tawang. They are comfortable with all required specifications, keeping the tourists requirements in mind.
Sightseeing in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang Galden Namgyal Lhatse
The spiritual center of the universe for the Monpas is the Tawang Galden Namgyal Lhatse, also know as Tawang Monastery. The monastery was founded Mera Lama, the contemporary of the fifth Lama.
About forty years of construction work, starting from the 1640s, was needed to complete the structure. After three centuries of peace, this monastery was badly damaged by the Chinese invasion of 1962, with priceless murals and Tankhas (also spelt as Thankas or Thangkas) being destroyed. Reconstruction work still continues in parts of the monastery. There are two major religious festivals of the Monpas viz "Dungyur and Torgya" festivals, celebrated at the premises of the Tawang Monastery with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm.
On the Way to Tawang
On the way to Tawang lies the World's second highest pass, the Sela Pass through a high altitude lake of crystal blue water. Both sides of the lake are decked with miles of rhodendrons. There is also a Orchidarium at Tipi near the banks of the Kameng River in the West Kameng District, enroute Tawang.
Tawang Library
The 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.
Pankang Teng Tso Lake
There are beautiful lakes around Tawang, the most being Pankang Teng Tso (P.T. Tso) Lake, only 17 km away from maddening crowd of township. It is a beautiful natural site, providing the tourists with eye soothing vistas. Other awesome lakes are Sangetser Lake, and Banggachang Lake.
Some Important Destinations near Tawang
Bomdila is 185 km from Tawang, which is also a major link between Tawnag and other parts of India.
Dirang is at a distance of 143 km from Tawang. Jang is just 42 km away. Lumla is 45 km away.
The distance between Tawang & Zemithang is 93 km. Tawang is also connected to Tezpur (Assam) about 345 km from Tawang. Bhalukpong is 285 km from Tawang.
