30-03-2017
Located at a height of near about 10,000 ft above sea level, picturesque Tawang is a thinly populated mountainous tract lying on the northwest extremity of ArunachanPradesh in north east India. It is also the seat of the 400-year-old TawangMonastery one of the oldest and the largest monasteries in India and the biggest outside of Lhasa.
As the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama, it is a holy site for Tibetan Buddhists and a prominent center for Gelug or Gelugpa, the pre-eminent Buddhist school in Tibet. Tawang shares boundaries with Tibet in the north, Bhutan in the south west and Sela range of West Kameng in the east.
Origins of Tawang are tad obscure. It was part of Tibet in the medieval times. Prior to the construction of the monastery, Tawang was traditionally inhabited by the Monpa people. The spread of Buddhism in the area started with the arrival of Guru Padmasambhava, the Indian saint, in the 8th century. Tawang Monastery was founded by Merak Lama LodreGyasto in accordance with the wishes of the fifth Dalai Lama, NgawangLobsangGyatso.
Tawang Monastery
Tawang Monastery is also known as the GadenNamgyalLhatse and it sits on the prick of a hill, about 10,000 feet above. The famous Tawang Monastery is a popular tourist attraction and it was founded by Merak Lama LodreGyamtso in the year 1860-61 AD and it offers an impressive and picturesque view of the Tawang – Chu valley. Undoubtedly, the monastery appears to look like a fort from afar, shimmering with royalty similar to a mini kingdom. Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is ranked as the second largest monastery in the world after Borobudur in Indonesia.
Entering the Tawang Monastery itself is a grand experience; you will come across huge doors about 925 feet long and about ten to twenty feet high. This kingdom has several edifices within the premises but the most prominent one is the ‘Dukhang’ or the assembly hall. This is also the main building of the monastery which is equally marked with magnificent art work. Inside the walls of Dukhang you can notice sketches of several saints and Bodhisattvas. Besides, another important structure in the monastery is the ‘Court’ which hosts religious dances and other ceremonies.
Urgelling Monastery
Built in the 14th century, UrgellingGompa is believed to be the birthplace of his Holiness the 6th Dalai Lama. Located at a distance of 3 km from the town of Tawang, UrgellingGompa is one of the most peaceful places that you will get to visit in Tawang. If you are seeking a respite from the troubles of life, UrgellingGompa is the place to be where you should definitely spend some time.
The small monastery is considered to be one of the most important places for followers of Buddhism and attracts a number of tourists. The tranquil ambience of this place will take you by surprise and help you enjoy a wonderful day in the serene surroundings.
Narunang Waterfall at Jang
It is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in this part of the country, yet is unknown to many travelers. It lies some 2 kilometres away from the town of Jang on the road connecting Tawang and Bomdila, so it is also known as the Jang Falls, drops down from an altitude of 100 meters. It originates from northern slopes of the famous Sela Pass, Nuranang River forms the waterfalls and then it plunges into Tawang River. It is located hardly 2 kilometers from Jang nearby the road that connects Tawang and Bomdila. And that’s perhaps the reason why it is known as Jang waterfalls. Not only it’s a spectacular attraction of Arunachal Pradesh, but also it is used to generate electricity for the local use. There is a small hydro plant located near the base that generates electricity.
