Arunachal Pradesh

Covering an area of 83,743 sq. km, Arunachal Pradesh is the largest of the
seven states constituting the north eastern part of the country. A state full of
hilly terrain and an abundance of dense forests, thinly populated Arunachal
Pradesh lies in the extreme east of India. The rivers have created broad valleys
in the state. The mighty river Brahmaputra enters Arunachal territory from Tibet
and flows into Assam. One of the wettest states of India, Arunachal receives as
much as five hundred centimetres of rainfall. This accounts for the large number of rivers and lakes in the state apart from dense forests. The main rivers of the state are Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Lohit and Tirap. Arunachal as a tourist destination is most ideal for those who love adventure filled holidays in high altitudes and thick forests.

Known as the ''''Land of Dawn-lit-Mountains'''', the rays of the morning sun kiss Arunachal first of all Indian states. Perched on top of low flat hills, capital Itanagar offers a serene ambience and has a lovely climate. The Buddhist temple and Jawaharlal Nehru Museum are among the best attractions of Itanagar. Tawang is a picturesque hill station located in very high altitudes. A place with a breathtaking beauty, Tawang also has one of the biggest monasteries of India. The monastery has an 18 feet high gilded statue of Gautam Buddha. The monastery is a treasure trove of Tibetan Buddhist culture. Parasuramkund near Itanagar is a major pilgrim centre of Arunachal. People from all over India visit this place of pilgrimage to take a holy dip in the lake which is believed to cleanse all sins of the past.

With a dazzling array of flora and fauna, beautiful rivers and lakes, every place of Arunachal has something to offer to tourists. Other attractions of the state are Bomdila, Tipi, Ziro, Daporijo, Along, Pasighat, Roing, Anini, Tezu, Hayuliang, Namsai, Miao and Changlang. It may be mentioned that charming Arunachal also boasts of over 500 varieties of orchids.


Climate
The climate of Arunachal is moderate. There is a sharp fall in temperature during winters. The state also experiences snowfall during winters.


Culture
Arunachal Pradesh is another north eastern state with a rich composite culture. There are over 20 major tribal groups speaking their own language, following their own traditions and celebrating their own festivals. The handicraft and handloom items of Arunachal are also unique in nature. Made largely of cane, bamboo and wood, the exquisite products have a distinct stamp of the state.


How to Get There:

Air: Nearest airport is situated at Mohanbari (Dibrugarh ).
Rail: Nearest railway station is Tinusukia.
Road: There are two ways of approaching Parashuram Kund. One route is via Tezu, the headquarters of Lohit district in the eastern part of Arunachal. About 20-km away from Tezu, on the Tezu-Walong highway, one has to get onto a freshly prepared dirt track up to the banks of the Lohit River. Passengers and vehicles are then ferried across on boats to Parashuram Kund on the other bank. The other route is via a place called Wakro. Most of the pilgrims avail of this route.

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Itanagar

Located in India's extreme east, Itanagar is the capital of north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. Also known as the Land of the Dawnlit Mountains, Itanagar is spread over an area of 2,500 acres. Perched on top of low flat hills, Itanagar offers a serene ambience and has a lovely climate. The capital city is divided into two parts-each 10 kms apart from the other. The older one has been named Naharlagun. There is a significant influence of Tibetan culture in Itanagar.

How To Reach -

Air : The nearest airport from Itanagar is Lilabari airport in Assam which is located at a distance of 67 kms from Itanagar. Lilabari is a small airport and flights operate only from a few destinations.
Rail : The nearest railhead from Itanagar is North Lakhimpur in Assam at a distance of 60 kms.
Road : Bus services are available to Itanagar from Guwahati and other state capitals of north-eastern region.

Places To See : There are many beautiful places in Arunachal Pradesh that can be approached from Itanagar. River rafting can also be undertaken in nearby places like Kameng, Subansiri, Siang and Dibang.

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Along

Along

Ideal time to visit is from October to April. For clothing, woollens in Winters and cottons in summers are suitable.

How To Reach:

Air: Nearest airport is 263-km away Leelabari.
Rail: Buses ply to Along from the nearest railway station 169-km away Silapathar.
Road: The first option is to reach Zero to Daporizo and from there catch a bus to Along. Buses also ply from Itanagar early in the morning and reach Along within 14 hrs time. Regular bus service is also available from 147-km away North Lakhimpur in Assam . One may come to Along from Likabali and Pasighat by bus or car.

Places To See : Dayani Polo's temple famous for its Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama another major attraction of this small town is the newly constructed Dayani Polo's temple. 'Dayani' means the Sun and 'Polo' the moon, the warranting deities of the tribals. Beside the temple there 's a museum and a craft center also worth a visit.

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Bhalukpong

Bhalukpong village also serves as the gateway to Bomdila and the Tawang Monastery on the northwestern tip of the Arunachal Himalayas. As with the Kameng, four other major rivers that rise in this range, drain into the Brahamaputra, lying within the Inner Line, entry permits are necessary.

On the edge of the luxuriant forest of the Pakhui Game Sanctuary, along the Kameng River lies the village of Bhalukpong - the gateway to Bomdila and the Tawang Monastery. For the energetic visitor, keen to experience the remote outdoors, few places can match the dimensions of faraway Arunachal Pradesh. Nature's generosity is evident here.

How To Reach -
Air: Nearest Airport at Tezpur .
Rail: Nearest railhead at Rangpara.
Road: From Tezpur regular buses ply to Bhalukpong and other major cities of Arunachal Pradesh.

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Bomdila

Bomdila is a beautiful small town situated at a height of about 2,350m (8000 ft.) above the sea level from where one can see the brilliant landscape and snow-clad mountains of the Himalayan Range.

It is the headquarters of West Kameng district and has a lot of attractions for the tourists with its cool climate, Apple orchards, artistic people, snow-capped Himalayan peaks and Buddhist Gompas. The Buddhist monastery of Bomdila is the repository of culture.

How To Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport is Tezpur- 160 kms.
By Rail: Bhalukpung (M.G)- 100 kms.
By Road: Guwahati, Tezpur, Tawang and Itanagar.

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Ziro

Ziro: Ziro is the district headquarters of the Lower Subarnasiri district and is at a height of 1538 m shaded by the pine trees. It is located at the plane foot of a narrow valley surrounded by the hills on all sides. Ziro is noted for its natural beauty. The Subarnasiri river flows on. It is inhabited by Apatani and other tribal people. They are fond of hunting. They carry on their cultivation on the sloppy regions of the hills. Tradition goes that Apatanis are good-looking. The local wine Apang is their favourite drink. Equally dear to them is bright and coloured dress. Their make-up evinces variety. The women use black tattooed mark on their fore­head and chin and from their nose hangs nose-ring made of cane. They believe that they are the descendants of the primordial man and woman known as Aro-Tani. Doyni- Polo or the sun and the moon are the dieties worshipped by them. Mikxris the spring festival of the Apatanis which continues for 10 days during March and April. Sirom Molo is exactly the same to the Nisus. Certain other festivities which are equal­ly attractive to the tourists are Socham, Dree, Neokum etc.

How To Reach -

Air: Nearest airport is Tezpur and Ulabari by Indian Airlines and NEPC Airlines.
Rail: Nearest railhead is North Lakhimpur by Arunachal Express from New Bongaigaon.
Road: Direct buses are available from Itanagar and North Lakhimpur.

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