• Investment World
• eWorld
• Catalyst
• Mentor
• Life
• Canvas
• Praxis
• Urban Pulse
• Brand Quest

Sarvesh
Hina Talwar

It is not a popular tourist destination. Yet, Arunachal Pradesh captivates the traveller with its scenic beauty and unparalleled charm, say Sarvesh and Hina Talwar.

An enchanting view of Itanagar

The North-Eastern part of India is a cache of picturesque hills and dales, salubrious climate, glorious heritage of art and craft, hospitable people and colourful festivals that reflect the ancient faith in the power of nature. It is here that we find the `Land of the Dawn-lit Mountains' - Arunachal Pradesh.

Covering 83,743 sq km of the eastern Himalayan range, it is tucked between the snow-capped mountains in the north and the plains of the Brahmaputra valley in the south. We were amazed to see the beauty of this State, gifted with lush green forests, deep river valleys, snow-capped peaks and beautiful plateaus. The height of the peaks found in this region varies from 1,829 metres to 6,400 metres.

This enchanting place is a land of adventure too. From trekking to angling, anything is possible. Its rivers are ideal for boating, rafting, angling and its terrain is suitable for trekking and hiking in a serene atmosphere. We got a chance to go river-rafting, and we should admit that it was scary.

Further on the cards was trekking, which we opted and never regretted. The first trek starts from the plains of Siang and leads through the thick forest area. The route, rich with flora and fauna, is a photographer's delight.

Our next destination was Bomdila, through the Tipi orchdarium. It crosses the crest of Sela Pass at 14,000 ft above sea level. The route also runs through a small ridge and along a placid lake called the Paradise Lake. Another famous lake that we found during our trek in this region was the Hidden Lake. As the name suggests this lake is hidden — one has to trek some 400 metres to view the beauty of this mysterious lake.

Nature at its pristine glory in the State

The third and final trek-route took us to Anini. The highest peak here is at Mayudia (2,443 metres), which is a must-see. Other interesting sites are the Mehao Lake Sanctuary and boating in Salley Lake.

Arunachal Pradesh is also famous for its different species of animals such as tiger, leopard, golden cat and the famous large mammal called `Mithun'. The other high altitude animals found in the State are the musk deer and Bharal.

Fairs and festivals are the lifeline of the people of this State. Some of the main festivals are Buddha Mahotsava in October, the Spring Festival in Tawang district, Losar, Reh etc.

Gaiety marks the Spring Festival

Cradled in the deepest contours of lush valleys is the beautiful land of Tawang. It is moored high up in the mountain ranges of the Himalayas at 3,500 metres above sea-level. Tawang is known as the land of Monpas. Its other name is Monyul. The Tawang monastery is the most gorgeous monument. There are many other monasteries that one can visit here.

We got a chance to unravel this hidden paradise. At a distance of 42 km from Tawang is the Nuranang waterfalls and Sangestar and Pangang-Tang-Tso lakes. During summer, beautiful flowers surround the lakes and in winter, they are stark white in snow.

Our next stop was the healing hotspots — the springs. Easily accessible ones are the Thingbu and Tsachu hot water springs. Surprisingly, the warm, sulphur-rich water cures many skin ailments.

The people of Tawang celebrate the spring festival with pomp and splendour. Spring season is said to be the king of all seasons. It also marks the celebration of Buddha purnima or Saga Dawa, as it is popularly known. An important feature that attracts mountaineers and adventure-lovers to the State is the multitude of peaks that are found in the region. The Gorichen peak is the highest in the region scaling up to a height of 22,500 ft. Arunachal Pradesh is a land of beautiful handicrafts. Weaving is the main occupation of womenWoodcarving is another important art form, which is a tradition with some of the tribes.

Other tourist attraction sights in the State

Stories in this Section
Bamboo, beyond borders

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line