Wednesday 4 January 2017

Tawang

Tawang :

Tawang Monastery
Tawang is situated at an elevation of approximately 3,048 meters (10000ft) above sea level in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh,India.
Tawang also known for its Monastery which was founded by the Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1681 in accordance with the wishes of 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, it belongs to the Gelugpa Sect and is the largest buddhist Monastery in India.

The Name Tawang (Tibetan:,Wylie:Rta-dbang) means Horse Chosen. It is said to be the biggest Tibetian Monastery in the world outside Lhasa, Tibet. It is a major holy site for Tibetian Buddhists as it was the Birth place of the 6th Dalai Lama.

How to Reach :
A view of Tawang Road
The town is about a 16-hour drive from Guwahati. However, it is best to hire a Tata Sumo from Tezpur in Assam ( 4hr drive from Guwahati). From Tezpur through Balibari you go to Bhalukpong (border of Assam and Arunachal). At Bhalukpong Gate Where Indian and Non Indian Tourist have to show a Inner Line Permit and then after you have to proceed to Arunachal Pradesh . It can take 12-14 hours if you go at a stretch to Tawang. my advise to brake your journey at either Bomdila or better still the very mesmerizing little valley of Dirang.

Dirang Valley

Place to visit in Tawang :

Tawang Monastery :






Monastery which was founded by the Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1681 in accordance with the wishes of 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, it belongs to the Gelugpa Sect and is the largest buddhist Monastery in India.


Sela Pass :
The Sela Pass is the high-altitude mountain pass located in Tawang District of Arunachal Pradesh state of India. It has an elevation of 4170 m (13,700 ft). connects the Buddhist city of Tawang Town to Tezpur and Guwahati and is the main road connecting Tawang with the rest of IndiaTawang is situated at a distance of 78 km from Sela Pass, while Guwahati is at a distance of 340 km. The pass has hardly any vegetation and is usually snow-covered to some extent all through the year. During winter temperature in the pass can go down to −10 degrees.
This place is snowed in most of the year and offers excellent and heavenly views all year round. This part of the Eastern Himalayan range is pretty special for the Buddhists as it is believed that about 101 lakes exist in and around Sela Pass and each of these lakes has religious significance for the Buddhist community. Very close to the Pass, is the beautiful Sela Lake (sometimes called Paradise Lake because of its beauty), which could be fully or partially frozen in winter. Some small rivers also flow out of the lake and during grazing season, yaks grazing around the lake.
While Sela Pass does get heavy snow in winters, it is usually open throughout the year unless landslides or snow require the pass to be shut down temporarily. Sela Pass is the main route to access Tawang town, and given the proximity of Tawang District with Tibet.
Tawang War Memorial :
Tawang war memorial located at Nuranang, about 25 kms from Tawang. This war memorial, set in scenic terrain just below the Sela pass commemorates the bravery of the martyred Indian soldiers of the 1962 Indo-China war.
 This war memorial stands in memory of rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, Mahavir Chakra Awardee (Posthumous) of the 4th Battalion of Garhwal Rifles Infantry Regiment. Jaswant showed his valor by fighting and holding the invading Chinese back for 72 hours all alone during the 1962 India-China war and remained at his post at an altitude of about 10,000 feet before succumbing to an enemy bullet during that bloody winter war. The post that he held to repulse the Chinese troops has been renamed Jaswant Garh in recognition of his valor and sacrifice. 
                                                                       or 
At daily Evening there was a Light and Sound show , depicting their heroic deeds.

Jaswant Ghar : 
Jaswant Rawat has been elevated by locals to a Holy Baba, who keeps vigil over the area and protects the region. A shrine, memorial has been made at the place where he fought and the place is fondly called as Jaswant Garh. All Indian Army personnel passing by this route from General to a Jawan pay their respects here. Jaswant is treated as if he is alive, his boots shined, linen washed, towels changed. Soldiers who polish his shoes claim that they are often found covered with mud, a sign that he has been walking around at night. The Legend goes that convoys in blizzards have seen Jaswant directing the vehicles through the serpentine bends. He continues to receive his promotions on time even after his death.He even gets letters from people seeking his blessings and help in all types of problems.


Nuranang Water Fall, Tawang :
Nuranang Falls (also known as Bong Bong Falls), some 100 metres high, is located in the Tawang district of Arunachal PradeshIndia. 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. There is a small hydel plant located near the base that generates electricity for local use.
The Nuranang river originates from the Northern slopes of the Sela Pass. Just below the waterfall it falls into the Tawang river.
According to a popular myth, Nuranang river and Nuranang falls are named after a local Monpa girl named Nura who had helped a soldier, Rifleman Jaswant Singh RawatMaha Vir Chakra (posthumous) in the 1962 Sino-Indian War and was later captured by the Chinese forces. The actual circumstances of Jaswant's heroism are more prosaic and no woman finds a place there. It is possible that the name Nuranang was bestowed well before 1962.

Sela Peak, Tawang :

One of the highest mountain peaks in Tawang mountainous area,















Bumla Pass Tawang : 
The Bum La Pass is located about 37 km away from Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, at the Indo-China border above 15,200 ft above sea level.

The road to Bum La is also a historical route, the People's Liberation Army of China invaded India during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Here in Bum La Pass one of the fiercest battle took place in the 1962 Sino-Indian War.

In 2006, Bumla pass was re-opened to traders for the first time in 44 years. Traders from both sides of the pass were permitted to enter each other’s territories, in addition to postal workers from each country.

It is often covered with heavy snow throughout the year. It is one of the most off-beat passes in the world and is also referred to as the pass from where Dalai Lama entered India escaping from Tibet.

This is a really beautiful place. This location is off the beaten track for those who love roaming in the wilderness. It is a fantastic place for a picnic of a lifetime if you move out of Tawang by around 7am and carry in everything yourself.
Visit by civilian tourist of India is permissible with permission from the Indian Army. The track is very treacherous, only SUVs advisable, and that too only on clear weather day with no snowfall or rainfall.
Madhuri Lake,Tawang :
The original name of this lake is Sangetsar Lake. However, since this site was filmed in famous Hindi Bollywood movie Koyla, it came to be renamed after the beautiful Indian Actress, Madhuri Dixit. This was the place that had been chosen for shooting the famous and melodious song “ Tanhai Tanhai Tanhai, dono ko paas le aayi”. This lake is learnt to have been formed as an outcome of a major earthquack in year 1950. Its original name i.e. Sangetsar has been derived from “Jang Nga Tseir”. While “Jang Nga” stands for valley, “Tseir” implies “the grazing ground”. Prior to the earthquake, this piece of land used to be employed as the grazing ground for the cattle. The evidence of it can be seen in the protruding trunks of the dead trees from the middle of the lake. The lake has been under supervision of Army men, who have also arranged for a cafeteria nearby. Tourists can relish on the delicious Momos, Maggis topped with a cup of tasty coffee or tea. Tourists can also take to trekking around the lake while enjoying the gentle lashes of the pleasant breeze around.

Pangang Teng Tso Lake, Tawang :
Pangang Teng Tso Lake is Located 17 km away from the town area, the lake is also known as Ptso Lake. The calm water, silently moving clouds, earth with its wetness, chirping of birds and warmth is all that one gets while visiting Pankang Teng Tso Lake. The lake is well maintained by the Indian Army and offers a soothing and tranquil atmosphere to its visitors. The lake remains frozen in winter and is ideal to visit only in summers. The path towards the lake is laden by bright rhododendron flowers that add to the exquisiteness of the place. One can also find colourful birds while on the lake and engage in some wonderful nature photography. 

With the backdrop of snow-clad Himalayas and gushing waters of the rivers, Tawang is a tourist paradise and a perfect blend for adventure and religious tourism. So pack your bags and get ready to take a trip to the picturesque Pankang Teng Tso Lake immersed in natural beauty and grandeur and come back with bags full of memories.







Tawang Circuit House

Tawang has a good range of accommodations in the form of private hotels, Govt. guest houses and Lodges, Home Stays etc.  Most of the private hotels and Guest Houses are located in and around the Tawang Township. For the guest desirous of staying either in Lumla or Jang, the appropriate option would be to stay in the Govt. Circuit House or Lodge for which the respective ADC Offices may be contacted for prior booking/ reservation. For accommodation in the Govt. Circuit House or Tourist Lodge the District Tourism Officer may be contacted.

HOTELS OF TAWANG

HIGH END HOTELS
Sl.No.Name of  HotelsFull AddressContact Nos. Website and E-mail
 1.Hotel Dekyi PelbarOld Market,Tawang03794-223867
 2Hotel Tashi Ga-tselNear Parade Ground Tawang03794-224652/9436010602www.hoteltashigatsel.com
 3.Hotel Zax StarNear Tawang Emporium Craft Center Colony Tawang03794-224652  / 09862220859/ 09402262482www.hotelzaxstar.in / reservationszaxstar @gmail.com
 4.Hotel Gakyi Khang ZhangNear DC Office,Air Colony Tawang03794-224647/48/49 www.gkztawang.com
 5.Hotel Mon ParadiseNehru Market,Tawang03794-222443

MID  RANGE HOTELS
Sl.No.Name of  HotelsFull AddressContact Nos. Website and E-mail
1.Hotel Tawang LodgeOfficer ColonyOpposite SBI Bank, Tawang03794-222030www.tawanglodge.com / tawanglodge@yahoo.in
2.Hotel Tawang InnNehru Market,Tawang03794-2221729402066004
3Hotel Mon KyemojongOld Market Tawang, Near Tourist Lodge,Tawang03794-224311/9436222293hotel.monkyimojon@gmail.com
4Hotel UgyenlingOld Market,Tawang, Near Gas Agency9402860038/9402293650Ugyenlinghoteltawang@gmail.com
5Hotel Monyul LodgeOld Bazar  , Near Taxi Stand, Tawang03794-222196/9436225264
6Hotel NEFANehru Market, Tawang03794-222419/8413932999
 7Hotel White HouseNehru Market,Tawang
 8Hotel Tawang RegencyOld Market Tawang03794-224743Letseetour&travels.com.
 9Hotel DawaOld Market, Tawang03794223310
 10Hotel Mount ViewNehru Market, Tawang03794-224304/9402492375
 11Hotel BuddhaOld Market Tawang9436872954/03794-222954
 12Hotel Tawang ViewNehru Market, Tawang03794-222433
 13Hotel TaktsangTemilo, Tawang07085900801
 14Hotel SiddharthaNehru Market, Tawang03794-222515/9436635998
 15Hotel SamdruplingOld Market, Tawang03794-224213
16Hotel Dolma ChhinkarOld Market, Tawang03794-223271/9436051011/ 94362523191Infordolmahotels.com / www.dolmahotels.com
 17Hotel Happy ValleyAIR Colony03794-223832
 18Hotel Mon-ValleyNehru market, Tawang03794-222119
 19Red CoralOld market, Tawang
 20Bumla InnNear Parade Ground, Tawang08729902020

BUDGET HOTELS
Sl.No.Name of  HotelsFull AddressContact Nos. Website and E-mail
 1Hotel ShambalaNehru Market Tawang03794-222348
 2Hotel GorichenOld Market, Tawang03794-224151
 3Hotel TawangOld Market, Near D.C. Resident, Tawang03794-224640
 4Hotel PungtengNehru Martket,Tawang03794-223173
 5Hotel DungphooOld Market,Tawang03794-223765
 6Hotel MaaOld Market,Tawang03794-222295
 7Hotel DolmaOld Market Tawang03794-223271/94362523191Infordolmahotels.com / www.dolmahotels.com
 8Hotel MassangOld Market Tawang03794-222162
 9Cloud StayOld Market, Tawang03794-224548
 10North HillNear Gas Agency,Tawang03794-222162

LIST OF GUEST HOUSE
Sl.No.  Name of Guest HouseFull AddressContact Nos. Website and E-mail
01.Dolma Khangsar Guest HouseGompa AIR Road Tawang03794-223271 /94362523191Infordolmahotels.com / www.dolmahotels.com
02.Lebrang Guest HouseLebrang Village9402605029Yeshipemp@gmail.com
03.Tenzin Paying Guest HouseDamgyen Village9436630456
04.Thunderbolt Guest HouseNear Parade Ground, Tawang03794-224242/9402622264


LIST OF HOME STAYS
Sl.No.  Name of Home StayFull AddressContact Nos. Website and E-mail
01.Tawang Home StayLebrang, Tawang03794-290205/9402477544dto.tawang@gmail.com
02.Tara Home StayOld Market, Tawang03794-222483www.tribaldiscovery.com
03.Lemberdung Home StayLemberdung9436051009
04.Homestay for comfortDown Town Road03794-224788
05.Dolkar HomestayLebrang9862076099
06.Tashi Home StayLebrang9774608088
07.TL Home StayShyo Village7085327463
08.Sangey Home StayShyo Village03794-222712
09.Namgey Home StayShyo Village8258846210
10.Ana Sonam Tsomu Home StayMandrelling Village9436091899
11.Tashi Yangzom Home StayUrgyelling Village8414987117
12.Nawang Chotta Home StayLumpo Village,Zemithang9436875068
13.Panden Home StayMuchut Village,Zemithang9402661290
14.Chumey Yangzom Home StayKyalateng Village,Zemithang9402859651
15.Tashi Phuntso Home StayMuchut Village,Zemithang9402661290

LIST OF GOVERNMENT ACCOMODATION
Sl.No.Name of Govt. AccommodationFull AddressContact Nos. Website and E-mail
01.Circuit House, TawangCircuit house, Tawang03794-224580
02.Tourist Lodge, TawangTourist Lodge03794-222359 www.tawangtourism.com
03.Forest Rest House, TawangNear Circuit House, TawangMobile:9436220844(RFO Hqs.)
04.Circuit House, JangJang, Hqs.03794-255588(ADC Office)
05.Circuit House, LumlaLumlaHqs.03794-264213(ADC Office)
06.Forest Rest House, JangJang Hqs.Mobile:9436220844(RFO Hqs.)
07.Inspection Bungalow, ZemithangZemithang03794-280326(CO ZMG.)
08.Tourist Lodge, ZemithangZemithang03794-280326(CO ZMG.)

PLACES TO EAT IN TAWANG
Tawang Township has number of good restaurants in the market. Further, some Home Stays have also started preparing traditional food for the tourists on demand / prior booking. The popular places to eat in town are listed below;
  • The Dragon – Old market, Tawang Ph. 03794-224475This quaint restaurant serves mouth watering Chinese, Indian and Tibetan food.
  • Gakhyi Top-stang -Hotel Gyakhi Khang Zang, near DC Office Tawang Ph. 03794-224647The restaurant serves a good array of Indian and Chinese dishes. The hotel also has a bar & Lounge for its guest.
  • Orange Bar & Restaurant – Old Market, Tawang Ph. 9485240762The bar-cum- restaurant is quite popular amongst the locals and the tourist for its good spread of food and drinks.
  • Snow Hill Restaurant – Old Market, Tawang Ph.  9402001267The restaurant serves good quality of Local and Chinese food.
  • Mon- Valley Restaurant – Nehru Market, Tawang Ph. 8131968915The restaurant serves good quality of Local and Chinese food.
  • Greenwood Restaurant – Old Market, TawangThe restaurant serves quality Local, Chinese and Indian dishes.
  • Woodland Restaurant – Nehru Market, Tawang.The restaurant serves good quality of Local and Chinese food.
  • Local food at Tawang Home Stay at Lebrang Village – Lebrang village near Tawang StadiumLocal food can be prepared on demand at the Homestay after prior arrangements with the proprietor (Smti Tsering Dekey, Ph. 9402477544)
    As the food is generally prepared fresh, expect the service to take some time.


Tawang Festivals :
 Tawang Festival was introduced in 2012 as a tourism festival after celebration of Buddha Mahotsova since 2004. Apart from showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the state, the festival also promote adventure tourism, all together the festival is all about showcasing the vast tourism potential  of the region. It’s the festival, were you will not only witness the rich culture of Monpas but also of all other tribes of the state Arunachal Pradesh.
  • TORGYA (Month Of January)- 

The Torgya Festival is a three day festival signifying the destruction of evil spirits and harmful forces. It seeks to promote prosperity and happiness amongst the people.

  • TAWANG Losar Festival (Month of Feb to Mer)
The Losar Festival is among the most important festivals celebrated in Tawang Arunachal Pradesh. Losar is celebrated by the Monpas who are a majority in Tawang Arunachal Pradesh. Belonging to the Mongoloid stock, the Monpas are mainly into agriculture and animal husbandry. Commemorating the advent of the New Year, Losar is the occasion when the Monpas feast, drink and make merry. Relatives and friends get together and celebrate this festival in a very pompous manner. The festival of Losar falls in the end of February or early March and is celebrated for 8 - 15 days. Indeed, the joie-de-vivre that characterizes this festival is simply fascinating.

  • Gorsam Chorten Kora(Month of Mar)
Every year in the month of March the Gorsam Kora festival is celebrated at the Gorsam Chorten, at zemithang which is about 95km away from Tawang, mask dance by the different communities is a speciality of the festival and every evening the people gather to join the candle light procession lead by the 13th Tsona Gontse Rinpoche. This Chorten is opened for public viewing once in every twelve years. The Gorsam Chorten is a replica of great stupa of Boudhanath in Nepal and is the largest stupa of the entire area.

Best Time To Visit :
The Best Time to visit Tawang is the season of Summer season and the Monsoon season.
The Temperature remains comfortable and is best for sightseeing.
The best Time to visit are March to June and September to October.

2 comments:

  1. Leh Bike Trip
    The Leh Bike Tour takes you to Khardung La, the world's most aspired bike ride. One of the highest passes in the world leads to the beautiful Pangong Lake.

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