Tawang, the world of mystics and enchanting beauties, forms the westernmost district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is located at a soaring height of nearly 10, 000 ft above MSL and shares it's boundaries with Tibet (China) in the north, Bhutan in the south east and West Kameng in the east.
The operation of a M1-172 helicopter to offer regular passenger flight service on the Guwahati(Assam) - Tawang sector has been approved by the GOI (Minister of Home Affairs).
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 been 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 the Monastery was unable to locate any appropriate site so, finally, he decided to sit in prayer for guidance of a divine power. As he opened his eyes after his prayers, he found his horse missing. So, wearily he went out searching for 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.
Believing it to be a good omen, Merag Lama Lodre Gyamtso decided to initiate the 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 the 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.
What to see
Tawang Monastery (Gonpa)
Golden Namgyal Lhatse commonly referred to as Tawang Monastery is one of the largest lamaseries of Mahayana sects and the second oldest Monastery in the world after Lhasa. This Monastery was founded by a monk Merag Lama Lodre Gyamtso, a contemporary of His Holiness Fifth Dalai Lama in 1681 AD. The monastery complex comprises of more than 65 residential buildings meant for monks. The Monastery also houses the establishment of the Head Priest, living chambers of the Lamas, an ancient library and antique museum. The most important building of the monastery is the main assembly hall/ temple called Duk-hang. It houses the colossal gilded statue of Lord Buddha. Apart from this are many statues of God and Goddesses preserved for offering prayers. Thangkas and other art facts antique are well protected. The Monastery is housed with more than 500 monks. It has also a centre of Buddhist Cultural Studies where young monks are provided basic education besides traditional monastic education. Now a day, Tawang Monastery is also light up with tiny bulbs emitting its perfect shape and size for the viewers at night.
Urgelling Gonpa
This Gonpa is believed to have been in existence since 14th century. It was one of the first three monasteries built by Urgen Sangpo, the youngest brother of Terton Pempalingpa, the famous Treasure-Revealer. Dating more than 550 years ago, the monastery is the birth place of Tsangyang Tashi, His Holiness the 6th Dalai Lama. He was the son of Lama Tashi Teiizin of Urgelling village a descendent of Terton Pempalingpa. This Gonpa is about 5 King; away from Tawang township.
Nunnery
Tawang has many aged old traditional Buddhist Nunneries called Ani Gonpa, In fact, there is no any hard and fast regulation in the society compelling any girl child to become a nun but they join nun hood at their own wishes.
Gyangong Ani Gonpa (Buddhist Nunnery)
Jangchub Choeling commonly referred to as Gyangong Ani Gonpa is a Nunnery beautifully perched on the hillock which is about 5 Kms from Tawang township founded by Merag Lama Lodre Gyamtso and is believed to have subsequently handed over to his elder sister. One can have a beautiful sight of this nunnery from Tawang Monastery as well. Anybody wishes to visit Gyangong Ani Gonpa needs to trek about half an hour from Tawang Monastery. This Nunnery houses more than 50 nuns.
Brahrna-dung-chung Ani Gonpa
Gaden Thekchen Choeling, popularly known as Brahmadungchung Ani Gonpa is one of the oldest nunneries in Tawang district located at about 8 Kms from Tawang township. It was commissioned by Lama Karchen Yeshi Gelek in 1816 AD. Presently the Gonpa is housed with 40 Anis (Nuns). Any visitors wanted to contribute (cash or kind) towards the welfare of Gonpa is accepted with thanks.
Singsur Ani Gonpa
This Ani Gonpa is at 28 Kms distance from Tawang township towards Ghesila mountain range. There are many other Ani Gonpa (Nunneries) viz. Zyumay Ani Gonpa and Ngawang Ani Gonpa in Tawang district
Taktsang Gonpa
Taktsang Gonpa is located at the distance of 45 Kms from Tawang township, is believed to have consecrated by the visit of Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century AD. This Monastery is perched on the ridge of the hillock surrounded by a dense coniferous forest and lofty mountains. Visitors can also conduct a visit (Tirth yatra) round about the places nearby Taktsang Gonpa where Guru Padmasambhava had meditated. It is place where one can really feel the ecstasy of being alone.
Gorsam Chorten
This is situated 90 Kms from Tawang town. This Stupa is the largest Stupa of the area. This Gorsam Chorten is believed to have constructed in the early part of 12* century by Lama Pradhar, Monpa monk.
BangaJang Lake
Nature has so lavishly blessed the entire Banga Jang range that one cannot help resist themselves from exclaiming the fabulous design of the nature. Every year Pilgrims Tour (Tirth Yatra) round about the Banga Jang range to acquire the heavenly bliss and Sanctity. A numinous story has a big hold of the area. Apart from Banga Jang lake, there are number of lakes in the area. ' Deities are believed to have a strong control over every lake. Many Pilgrims had visited the place but only few probably pure hearted pilgrims had an experience of witnessing the deities in lake in different images.
Hot springs
Tawang is endowed with many hot water springs which are known for their medicinal value. All these hot water springs have high sulpher content which cures many skin ailments.
Tsachu hot
The water spring can be reached traveling by light motor vehicle for two hours from Tawang up to Sarong Gonpa and from there one has to trek on foot for another three hours. Apart from this, there is many other Hot spring available in Tawang district viz. Kitpi Hot Spring, Thingbu Hot Spring, Greng-khar Hot spring etc.
Trekking routes (Soft/Moderate/Hard)
There are number of Trekking routes of all categories Soft, Moderate and Hard in Tawang District. Following are some of the best and ideal trekking routes often being frequented by the trekkers.
Sangey - Sela - RA III - Jang - Mukto - Gongkhar - Kitpi - Seru - Monastery (Tawang) [ Moderate]
Mukto - Gongkhar - Gyamdong - Khet - Kharung - Bongleng - Kungba - Namsring - Kharteng - Lumla. [Soft]
Tawang Gonpa - Gyangong Ani Gonpa - Bhramadongchung Ani Gonpa - Tawang. [Soft]
Namet Village - Zarmang Ani Gonpa - Khromten Gonpa - Geshila - Klimta - Bomla - Y. Junction - Tawang. [Moderate]
Tawang Gyangong Ani Gonpa - Thangaphay - Thongleng -Seru - Tawang .[Soft]
Jang - Thingbu - Mago - Goi ichen Base Camp - Mago (Back) - Luguthang - Sena Chakra - RA-I [Hard].
Fairs & Festivals
Fairs and festivals have always been an integral part of the tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh so also is the Monpa tribe. Like other tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, the festivals of Monpas are also mostly associated with agriculture and religion. Monpas of Tawang celebrates number of festivals every year Some of them are as follows:
Losar : Losar the New Year festival is perhaps the most important festival of the Monpas. It generally falls during the last part of February or early part of March. It is celebrated with great solemnity and gaiety which last for I5 (fifteen) days. Various dances are performed during the festival. Every one is pressed to partake of delicious foods, beer and wine on the occasion.
Torgya : It is a Monastic festival being celebrated every year in the 28th day of the eleventh month of the lunar calendar which generally falls in the month of January every year. This festival is believed to be celebrated to chase out the evil spirits and usher in the prosperity and happiness both human being and crops. During the festival a ritual monastic masked dances in magnificent traditional attires are performed in cham-lang the courtyard of the Tawang Monastery
Dukpa Tse-She : On the fourth day of the seventh month i.e Dukpa Tse- Shi, the Lord Buddha delivered his maiden preaching on the Forth Novel Truths to his initial five disciples in the Deer Park at Sarnath. The day is commemorated by visiting religious shrines and offering prayers.
Gaden Ngamchoe : As per lunar calendar, this festival falls in the twenty fifth day of tenth month. This is observed to perpetuate the death anniversary of Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelukpa an order of the Tibetan Buddhism As a mark of devotion and to mourn His death, devotees can be seen drinking gruel of bit of flouring dumplings in the evening. Lamps are lighted in the evening on the house roofs and verandahs of the houses and Monasteries to commemorate the occasion.
Lhabab Duechen : The twenty second day of the ninth month of the Lunar calendar is celebrated as Lhabab Duechen- the day on which the Lord Buddha descended from Tushita, the realm of God. The day is devoted to religious activities like circumambulating shrines, lighting lamps and praying.
Saka Dawa: This festival is celebrated in the 4th month of the lunar calendar to mark the achievement of Nirvana by Gautom Buddha.
Traditional Dances
Apart from the monastic dances performed by the monks during the Torgya festival, the Monpas have several other attractive pantomimes dance-dramas depicting legendry stories or events. Some dance-dramas also impart moral lesson In most of the dances/ pantomime the artistes wear mask which have resemblance of human, animal and birds faces. The musical instruments they use for traditional songs and dances are trumpet, drum, cymbals, clarion, conch shell etc.
Achi Lhamo dance: It is one of the popular folk dances amongst Monpas of Arunachal Pradesh. This dance-drama form of performance tells a tale about a famous King Choegyal Norsang of Jangchok Nga-dhen kingdom. Through the rhythmic movements and songs, they tell how the king vanquished his enemies and won the heart of his beloved ones. This dance is usually performed during Torgya festival.
Yak dance : The yak has a major role in the economy and prosperity of the Monpas with it multi-purposes usage. This dance depicts how a man named Thegpagali discovered yak many hundreds of years ago.
Lion & Peacock dance : This dance associates with the saint Tentelling who was meditating on the mount Gangrikarpo for three consecutive years in the Himalayan range. Surprisingly, on the other ridge of the same mountain dwelt two snow lions. The two snow lions saw the Saint meditating for such a long period of time all devoid of food or drink and quitting himself from the worldly affairs. Out of compassion, the two snow lions would always visit the saint and offer him milk for survival and finally they became intimate friends. Eventually, the people heard of this marvelous relationship between animal and human being, so they went to have the sight of the fact. People were then much overwhelmed by the service rendered by animal to the St. Tenteling. Overjoyed with the marvelous relationship between St. Tentelling and animals and the wonderful time they had spent in the jungle the people danced together. Thus this traditional Lion dance signifies the fact that the peace and harmony comes to this world only when there is a complete harmony and cohesion amongst all living creatures on this earth. |
