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Arunachal Pradesh >> Itanagar |
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Itanagar
Itanagar,
the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, is a beautiful
historic city, also known as `the Land of the Dawn lit
Mountains'. It is located to the east of Tawang and has
been identified with Mayapur, a city of the 14th or 15th
century A.D. The new township has modern buildings,
bazaars and traditional homesteads.
Itanagar is well connected with the rest
of the country by road and air communications. Pawan
Hans provides
helicopter service between Guwahati and
Naharlagun(Itanagar). Deluxe buses are available from
Guwahati.
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Important
attractions include the old brick fort (Itafort),
Buddhist Monastry, Jawaharlal Nehru Museum, Ganga Lake (Geykar
Sinyi) and Zoo. On the banks of the Bharali river at an
elevation of 190 mtrs. is Tipi, an orchidarium with over
7500 orchids. On display are some of the finest species
with names like the Dainty Lady's Slipper or the more
formal sounding Dendrobium. Arunachal has the largest
range of orchids in India and at Tipi, scientists are
creating new, hybrid species using the latest techniques
of biotechnology. 40 kms. Away from here is the Orchid
Park at Sessa.
The
journey onwards is most adventurous and perhaps the most
difficult as Bomdila, the headquarters of the West
Kameng District is at a height of 2530 mtrs., offering
wonderfully panoramic views of Himalayan landscapes and
snow clad ranges. The scenery is spectacular but there
is a tingling sense of fear too - it is a long way down!
There
are apple orchards and Buddhist monasteries, for
travellers are now entering an area that had had strong
Tibetan and Buddhist influences over the centuries. The
area has many Buddhist monasteries called `Gompas' and
there is also a crafts centre producing very fine
carpets of colourful designs. Around the area are good
trails for trekking enthusiasts.
A
10 Hrs. drive from Bomdila takes you to Tawang, a
Buddhist pilgrimage site, where the Dalali Lama, the
spiritual leader of the Tibetans, goes to preach and
pray. The most striking building in this Buddhist
village is the tall central monastery, the Tawang Gompa.
The
400 year old monastery dominates the valley with a grand
view of the Himalayas. The Tibetan influence here is
unmistakable, with the elaborately painted wooden
windows and other motifs. Prayer flags flutter in the
breeze and inside, the monks - there are some 500 lamas
- light lamps, rush about their chores and drone in
joint prayer. An 8 mtr. high gilded statue of the Buddha
is here, as are numerous ancient Thankas or traditional
paintings and manuscripts.
Losar,
(Feb-March) the main festival is fixed in consultation
with the Buddhist calender.
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When
to visit |
Round
the year |
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How
to reach |
By bus
from Banderdewa, North Lakhimpur(Asssam),
Tezpur(Asssam) and Guwahati(Asssam) |
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Where
to stay |
Circuit House, Field
Hostel, Hotel
Donyi Polo Ashok,
Hotel Itafort,
Hotel Bomdila, Hotel
Arunachal,
Hotel Subansiri, Hotel
Simang, Hotel
Chandni,
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Blue Pine Hotel etc.
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Nearest Airport
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Tezpur(Asssam),
Lilabari (Asssam)(71
Kms). |
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Nearest Bus stand
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Tezpur(Asssam),
Banderdewa, Guwahati(394Kms) (Asssam) ,
North Lakhimpur(Asssam). |
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Nearest Railway Stn |
Harmuti.(32 Kms)(Asssam) |
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What to see
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Itafort, Buddhist
Monastery,
Jawaharlal Nehru
Memorial Museum,
Ganga Lake, Indira Gandhi Park.
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