Circuit House, Inspection Bungalow, Hotel Nichu, Hotel Shangrila.

The Tawang Monastery of the Gelugpa sect in Tawang town was built by the Mera Lama in 1681. This monastery is one of the largest in the country.

Travelling to the place requires special Inner Area permits from the government and is available in Kolkata or Guwahati. Most of the travel from the plains is on a high hill journey and one needs to cross Sela Pass (13700 feet).

As of 2001 India census, Tawang had a population of 4456. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%.

Tawang has an average literacy rate of 63%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 70%, and female literacy is 55%. In Tawang, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Tawang is situated at a height of 10,200 mts. After getting accommodation in the tourist lodge, we moved out to the mall to mingle with the locals. The mall is indeed a shopper’s paradise for those interested in ethnic stuff. Items ranging from delicate Chinese crockery to fine Chinese silk, carpets to jackets abound in shops with smiling Monpa girls luring all the customers they can. After a brief window-shopping spree we came back had an early dinner and called it a day.

Most of the tribes depend on agriculture for a living. Owing to its cold weather, farmers breed yak and sheep herds, although in lower altitudes crops are planted as well.

Tawang borders the Line of Actual Control between India and China on disputed Indian-administered territory, as part of Arunachal Pradesh.

From China’s point of view, it is considered as part of the Cona County of China-administered Tibet Autonomous Region.

It also shares another international border with Bhutan, and a district border with West Kameng. In winter, Tawang frequently experiences heavy snowfall. (more…)

Music & dance are an integral part of every festival and occasion, taking place in Tawang . Every festival is celebrated with much fun & fair, which also includes music and dance. The music and dance of Tawang are generally performed in groups, in which both men & women participate.

Tawang Monastery: Founded by the Mera Lama Lodre Gyasto in accordance to the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Nagwang Lobsang Gyatso, The Tawang monastery of the Gelugpa sect is the largest Buddhist monastery in India. The name Tawang means Chosen Horse. It is also known in another Tibetan name known as Galden Namgey Lhatse, which means a true name within a celestial paradise in a clear night.

Located at an elevation of 10,000 feet (3,300m) in the district capital, Tawang, it is home to more than 600 Lamas. It has also a house the Parkhang library. A collection of the 400-year-old Kangyurs which consists of 110 volumes with 400-500 pages in each bundle in addition to invaluable manuscripts. (more…)

The Monpa society is greatly influenced by the lamas (priests). In every spheres of their social life, Lama’s intervention and guidance is required, which is much honored and respected in the society. Lama is invited to perform puja and appropriate rituals at birth and death, marriage, construction of new house etc.

In the internal administration, each Monpa village has a democratic set-up of village councils called ‘Tsobla’ headed by a Tsorgan – the village head and Thumi (Messenger). All the minor civil and criminal cases are settled by Tsorgan in consultation with Tsobla. (more…)

Losar Festival: The New Year festival, called “Losar” is perhaps the most important festival of Tawang District in Arunachal Pradesh. The Losar festival of the Monpas is their new year of festival. On this occasion people clean out their homes to usher in the New Year and to discard the old. It mostly falls in the last part of February or early part of March and is celebrated with lots of fun and festivity, which lasts for about 8 to 15 days.

Khan Festival: Another festival is the Khan festival, an occasion for the reunion of the people. Besides the usual festivities, the significance of the festival lies in the ceremony whereby the priest ties a piece of wool around everybody’s neck. The belief is that the enchanted thread will bring good luck to each of them. (more…)