About the State
The sparsely populated state of Arunachal Pradesh lies on the northeastern
edge of the Indian subcontinent. The state has Assam and Nagaland on its
south, Bhutan on its west, Tibet on its north and Myanmar on its eastern
border. The diversified flora and fauna, deep river valleys and the scenic
sights together make the state a much desired and beloved destination for
the tourists and vacationers.
The historical picture of the state, however, is not very clear. And there
are practically no records except some oral literature and ancient ruins.
The region was inhabited by people of tribal origins. In the 16th century,
the region was under the control of the Ahom kings. The tribes were mostly
the Daflas, the Bangnisand the Monpas, influenced by Buddhist motifs and
ideals. Other tribal groups were the Miri, the Tagin, the Apatanis etc. The
Membas, the Ramos, the Boris, formed minor tribal groups.
Climate Check
Climatic conditions vary depending upon the topography. The state
experiences a hot and humid subtropical climate in the southern part. Moving
towards the central areas the climate becomes cooler while in the higher
reaches it is alpine. However, the ideal time to enjoy the scenic sights of
the state is between October and April.
Chief Cities & Towns
Bomdila
Perched at an elevation of 8000 ft, the tiny phenomenal town of Bomdila
offers excellent views of the snow-laden Himalayan ranges. The Buddhist
monastery of Bomdila is one of the many attractions that draws in tourists
and travellers to this part of the country.
Daporiji
Daporiji, located on the banks of the Subansiri, is ideal for trekking and
angling. One can also head towards a fine group of caves that are located
just a few kilometres away. The place can be reached by bus either from
Itanagar via Ziro or from Likabali via Bazaar.
Itanagar
Itanagar, the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh, is dotted with tiny
beautiful earthquake proof buildings rising up the slopes of the verdant
hills. These wood-built structures are truly a sight to behold. The Ita Fort
and the Raj Bhawan are popular places of interests. And if your are eager to
move a few kilometres away from the city, there are attractions like the
Buddhist Temple, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the Ganga Lake etc. No
wonder, there are a number of adventure activities in store as well.
Malinithan
Lying
at the foot of the Siang Hills, Malinithan is a deserted temple site. Being
a place of worship, the city attracts a large number of devotees and
tourists. Moving 5 km away from here, you will come across the Akashi Ganga
Waterfalls, where pilgrims can be seen taking their holy dips.
Pasighat
Pasighat can be reached by bus or car from Itanagar, North Lakhimpur and
Silapathar. If you are willing to enjoy a ferry ride, you can opt for the
Dibrugarh-Oiriamghat-Pasighat route. An excursion to the Dr. D. Ering
Wildlife Sanctuary could be an interesting option for tourists and
travellers. Here, one can also indulge in adventure sports like treking,
river rafting, boating, angling etc.
Tawang
Tawang, located at an elevation of 10,000 ft, is internationally renowned
for its 400-year-old Buddhist monastery. The monastery was founded by monk
Mera Lama and is one of the biggest in India. The interesting images,
thangkas and murals are truly worthy of notice. This centre of Buddhism can
be reached by bus from Tezpur or Bomdila.
Reaching Options
Lilabari (North Lakhimpur, Assam) is the closest airport from here. There
are regular flights operated by the Indian Airlines from Kolkata to Tezpur
(216 km from Itanagar). The closest railway station is Hermuty (33 km from
Itanagar).
Cultural
Tours in India
