WEST KAMENG DISTRICT   |   PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST

PLACES OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE

The name of the district is derived from the Kameng River, a tributary of Brahmaputra that flows though this district. By a Government of India 'Notification of 1914,' the area covered by this district, became a part of the 'Western Section' of the 'North East Frontier Tract' to which the entry of the British subject was regulated by an 'Inner Line'. By a Government of India 'Notification of 1914,' the area covered by this district, became a part of the "Western Section' of the 'North East Frontier Tract' to which the entry of the British subject was regulated by an Inner Line'.

In 1919, this tract was renamed as the 'Balipara Frontier tract,' having its headquarter at Charduar of Assam. In 1946, the district area was curved out of the Balipara, with the name of 'Sela Sub-Agency' and its headquarter continued to be 'Charduar' of Assam. In 1954, Sela Sub-Agency was renamed as the Kameng Frontier Division' and its headquarter was later transferred to Bomdila.

Like other parts of North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), it was also under the 'Ministry of External Affairs' and over all in-charge of the district was a 'Political Officer,' later on Kameng Frontier Division was renamed as 'Kameng District' and the Political Officer was redesignated as 'Deputy Commissioner'. On 1st June 1980, Kameng District was again bifurcated into 'East Kameng District' and 'West Kameng District'.

East Kameng District was formed, covering the area of the Seppa subdivision and rest of the area of erstwhile Kameng district was placed under the West Kameng District. Finally, on 6th October 1984, West Kameng District was once again, bifurcated and by curving out, the area of Tawang Subdivision. And at last, Tawang District was formed.

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.

Dikang 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 site
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).