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.
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| 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.
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| 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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