Sunday, July 26, 2015

5 Reasons Why Arunachal Pradesh Should Be Your Next Destination

Well no one really needs a reason to travel, but if you have been waiting for inspiration to seize you here is the nudge that you needed. You NEED to travel to 
Arunachal Pradesh, in India’s North-east and here is why:





1.   Tawang Monastery – India’s largest monastery.


First and foremost, the main attraction for Arunachal Pradesh is tucked away in its North-west, at the Tawang Valley. Also known as the Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, it is the second largest monastery in the world after the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet), it is actually very close to the Tibetan (now, Chinese) Border.
The Tawang Town being quaint and picture perfect in itself, is also the gateway to the Sino-Indian Border.



2.   Se-La (Pass) – 13,700 ft. 101 Lakes.



Imagine a perpetually snow-covered expanse of bare land and partially frozen Sela Lake at an altitude of 13,700 ft; Imagine fiercely fluttering Buddhist flags greeting you through an exquisite gate laden with Buddhist symbolisms- it’s heavenly. The entire Sela region is said to have a total of 101 Lakes.




3.   Sangatsar Lake – also popularly known as the Madhuri Lake.


This lake was formed after an earthquake in the 1973 and since then is considered sacred by some Buddhist tribes of the region. With the mountains ascending steeply on two of its sides, the eerie dead trees breaking through the surface of the lake and Buddhist prayer flags festooned all over the place, it is an enchanting sight to behold. On the way to this lake the rugged road passes by innumerable lakes, each as captivating as the other.




4.  Bum-La (Pass) – the Sino Indian Border



One of the most off-beat passes in the world, it is heavily covered in snow throughout the year and connects India and China in this region. Access to this pass is regulated by the Army though and is sometimes not easy to get. But, definitely more than worth the trouble.



5.   The Journey, of course.

Tawang War Memorial

The town of Bhalukpong with the Kameng River,  the Nameri National Park, the Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary, the Sessa Orchid Sanctuary, the towns of Dirang with the Dirang Dzong and Monpa Villages, the town of Bomdilla, Jaswantgarh, the Nyukmadung War Memorial, Nuranang Falls, innumerable army camps,  the Tawang War Memorial, all strewn throughout the journey hold promises of a life altering experience.

Nuranang Falls


6.   (Bonus)  Kaziranga National Park



On your way back from Arunachal Pradesh, an over-night stop at the Kaziranga National Park seems almost mandatory. After the winding high-altitute roads of Arunachal Pradesh and the ruggedness of the terrain in general, a leisurely day at Kaziranga with Rhinoceroses within arm’s length is highly recommended.

 


Arunachal Pradesh, yet to exploit its potential as a place of tourism, is still in its virginal state. The roads bordered by the wild blooms of purple flowers at some area, lost in the shade of dense trees in others and even just chucks of snow covered rough rocks in between is nature’s magic and mystery entwined together in its truest form.


Note: This article is only on the North-Western region of Arunachal Pradesh. 
























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