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Places of
Interest : Tawang the
world of mystics and enchanting beauties forms the westernmost
district of Arunachal Pradesh is located at the soaring height of near
about 10, 000 fts above MSL sharing boundaries with Tibet (China) in
the north, Bhutan in the south east and West Kameng the East is the
home of Monpa tribe.
Tawang is believed to have derived its name from the grandiose Tawang Monastery perched on the edge of the ridge running along the western part of Tawang township. Ta means Horse and Wang means chosen. As the legend has it, the site of the present monastery is believed to have chosen by a Horse owned by Merag Lama Lodre Gyamtso. Merag Lama Lodre Gyamtso who was on a search for an appropriate place to establish Monastery was unable locate any appropriate site so, finally decided to sit on prayer for a guidance of a divine power. As he opened his eyes after prayer, he found his horse missing. So, wearily he went out searching his horse and found it on the top of the hill-lock known as Tana Mandekhang where once stood a palace of King Kala Wangpo. Believed it to be a good omen, Merag Lama Lodre Gyamtso decided to initiate a work for building up of a monastery with the help of people living across the land of Monpas. This Monastery was founded by Merag Lama Lodre Gyamtso in late 1681 according to the wishes of 5th Dalai Lama. However, it is also believed that the great Treasure Revealer, Terton Pemalingpa gave initiations such as Tamdin and Ka-gyad and hence the place came to be known as Tawang. (Ta- an abbreviation of Tamdin; Wang means initiation. This land is also known as 'Monyul" because of the low lying land dwelled by Monpas. Descendents of Mongoloid race, the Monpas are Buddhist by religion and Tawang monastery is the fountain head of their spiritual lives. The spread of Buddhism in the area started with the arrival of Guru Padrnasambhava, the great Indian Saint in 8th century. The Monpa tribe is predominant of Gelukpa sects of Mahayana stream of Buddhism. Before they embrace Buddhism they were the believers of "Bon" faith characteristic of spirit worship and animal sacrifice. The Monpas are by and large agriculturists. Unlike most of the tribes of North-East who practice Jhumming (Shifting Agriculture), they follow the terrace form of cultivation. They also tame yak, sheep and other livestock. The Monpa society is monogamous by law but polygamy and polyandry is also seen prevalent. They live in cozy double storied residential houses constructed of stone blocks, bamboo ceiling, curved wooden doors and window frames. The Monpas are courteous, friendly, hardworking and above all very hospitable It is quite apparent that their religion has an impeccable influence on their demeanor. Their traditional dresses are as colourful and vibrant as the people.
Wildlife :
Arunachal Pradesh is home
to a very rich mammalian wildlife population as the wide variety of
altitudinal and climatic conditions have given rise to different
forest types which create corresponding natural shelter , food etc. to
varieties of wildlife. It has two National Parks and four Wildlife
Sanctuaries. It is home to many rare and highly endangered species of
Wild life like Mishmi, Takin, Hoolock Gibbon, Musk Deer, Bharal,
Hisbid Hare, Flying Squirrel and more than 500 species of birds.
Namdapha National Park amongst them has perhaps the widest diversity of habitat of any of South Asia's protected areas. It is unique, with it's elevation varying between 200 to 4500 mts. and has all four large cats, the tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard in addition to lesser feline species like the Golden cat and marbled cat
TOURIST INTEREST PLACES OF WEST KAMENG DISTRICT
Talung Dzong During the 12th century A.D. monastic rule was established in the Mon Region. For smooth functioning of the administration the monastic authority established three divisional headquarters in the Mon Region Viz., the Tawang Dzong with headquarter at Gyangkhar, the Dirang Dzong with headquarter at Dirang Dzong and the Talung Dzong with headquarter at Sanglem, Among these Dzongs tho Talung Dzong was the most significant administrative centre since it regulated the frontier trade between ASSAM and Tibet. The Dzong building along with some sacred enclosures are associated with the tradition of Guru Padma Sambhawa. The Dzong was empowered with the duty to collect Annual Tax from the Tukpan area and some parts of ASSAM.
D1KANG DZONG
Locally known as 'DZONG' the monastic official headquarter at Dirang is an important historical monument for the Monpas of Dirang circle. The 17th century monument represent the authority of the monastic rule through which they carried out public administration. It was also the centre of military and judicial activities concerning the entire population within its jurisdiction. The DZONG was built at Dirang in 1831. It is at a strategically located, four storied fortified building in which the entire village could take refuge at the time of war. It is the only one of its kind in the entire area. The two-storied fort was built out of huge stone slabs and wooden logs. The wooden gate leading to the fort is decorated with local architectural designs. Realizing the importance of the monument recently the archeological department of the state has initiated moves to renovate the fort and also to declare it as a national monument.
Ruins of Bhalukpong
Forts constructed around 10th to 12th centuries are found in the Bhalukpong area of West Kameng district. It is believed to be that of some defeated kings of Assam in those periods. Few stone blocks and brickbats are found on the slope of the hillock, which is situated on the right bank of river Bharali, about 3-km northwest from Bhalukpong.
JAMERI MEGALITHIC
A solitary megalithic site at Jameri is a sort of a megalithic island far away from the megalithic mainland in the Khasi-Jaintia Cachar-Naga belt. As some scripts are written on it, it has great values to the local villagers.
RUINS OF DIMACHUNG-BETALI
The Dimachung - Betali ruins are located on the hills of Rowta Forest range under Balemu circle. Some bricks and store remnants are found over the site. Few spots of the settlement area are encircled with the low retaining walls. A muller stone containers with impression of the Mahayani Buddhist mantra, 'Om Mane Pema Hum', rock inscription were found in the area.
Gyuto Tantric University, Tenzin Gaon
The monastery is situated at Tenzin Gaon, 80 km from Bomdila on the Bomdila-Kalaktang route. The inhabitants of the area are Tibetans, who had migrated from Tibet in 1959. The settlers and the monks had taken up the project to construct a monastery which took its shape in 1975-76 and named as 'Gyuto Tantric Monastery' under the initiative of the then Lt. Governor of Aruachal Pradesh, Mr. K.A.A. Raja, The two-storied monastery with 14 rooms along with a big hall for assembly was formally inaugurated by the then Lt. Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Mr. K.A.A. Raja on 6th October 1976. The monastery conducts training to monks to acquaint them with tantrism. Additional to study, grammar, poetry of Tibetan script, modern English, Hindi, Mathematics, General Science etc. are also taught. The name of the place was renamed as Tenzin Gaon, Tenzin Gyatso after the name of their spiritual head, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Lha-gyala Gonpa
Morshing has one of the oldest Gonpa, The Lha-gyala Gonpa built in the 7th Century AD. It is considered to be the birth place of Princess KhanDro DroWa ZangMo who later became the Queen of Tana Mandre Khang (Tawang). |
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