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Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, is a beautiful historic city, also known as ‘the Land of the Dawnlit Mountains ’. It is located to the east of Tawang and has been identified with Mayapur, a city of the 14^th or 15^th century A.D. The new township has modern buildings, bazaars and traditional homesteads. Important attractions include 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. Another 40 kms. is the Orchids 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 2,530 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 has 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 km. Drive from Bomdila takes you to Tawang, a Buddhist pilgrimage site, where the Dalai 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 drown in joint prayer. An 8 mtr. High gilded status of the Buddha is here, as are numerous ancient Thankas r traditional paintings and manuscripts.

Losar, (Feb.-March) the main festival is fixed in consultation with the Buddhist calendar. 

|| Itanagar || Namdpha National park || Tawang Monastery ||

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