Tawang, a remote hamlet in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh comes with a meager population. As per historical records, this region of the state was originally within Tibet and according to claims made by China, Tawang belongs to southern Tibet and not to India. The Tawang region is inhabited mostly by the Monpa tribes of Arunachal Pradesh who are believed to have descended from the Lhomon/Monyul kingdom that was laid out across Tawang between 500BC and 600AD. Later this kingdom was included into neighboring Tibet plus Bhutan.
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| Sakyamuni at Tawang Monastery [source] |
One of the most historical regions of Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang is famously known for its Monastery. The founder of the monastery is said to be Merek Lama who founded it to keep the wish of 5th Dalai Lama. This monastery came into being in the year 1681. It is not only beautiful and magnificent but also makes a vital symbol of the religious pursuits as well as social life of the Tawang denizens. Known as Galden Namgyal Lhatse or Celestial Paradise in a Clear Night or Chosen Horse, this beautiful monastery is one of the largest Lamaseries of the Asian Mahayana Sect.
This magnificent monastery depicts a 400 years old history that is dedicated to Purity of life, Love and Learning. Covering an area of 135 sq m, this beautiful monastery is colossal and well guarded by a huge compound wall that runs over 160 meters long. This magnificent monastery complex comprises of over 10 structures and 65 residences. There is a magnificent library too which houses numerous old scriptures from Tanjore and Kanpur, this number to over 850 bundles and date way back to the 17th century. The region of Tawang is also famous as the birth place of Tsangyang Gyatso the 6th Dalai Lama.
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| Arunachal
Pradesh landscape between Dirang and Tawang [source] |
Tawang became a part of British India according to the 1914 Shimla Accord, which marked the borders of India and Tibet as per the McMahon Line. According to this accord, Tibet gave few areas including the region of Tawang under the British dominion. However, this was not recognized by the Chinese, and even the British never took over Tawang, so the region continued to be governed by Tibet.
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| Khinmey
Nyingma Monastery [source] |
The British took the region into notice when Frank Ward a botanist from Britain had entered Tawang without the Tibetan permission in 1935, and as a consequence he was arrested. Subsequently, the British re-examined the border had discovered that Tawang in fact was a part of British India. Following this when Tibet refused to surrender Tawang, due to the religious significance of the monastery – the British made a move to gain sovereignty over the region.
Captain Lightfoot was sent to visit the region, which gave rise to protest, however it did not cause change in territory. When there was war with Japan in 1941, the Assam Government began to tighten their grip on the North East Frontier. Soon the control was extended to Tawang, when the Tibetan collectors were set out, and protestors were pushed out, while all this happened in the South of the Sela Pass. The North remained untouched by these happenings.
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| Shungetser
Tso(Madhuri Lake) [source] |
After 1950 when Tibet became a part of the People’s Republic of China, the situation began to change, and soon the Tawang town too began to be taken under the Indian control. However, Tawang had fallen into Chinese control in 1962 during the Indian Sino War. While the Chinese withdrew their troops and Tawang became a part of India, China however never gave up their claims on the regions of North East India, most of Arunachal Pradesh.
The region once again came into spotlight when the Dalai Lama visited the region and claimed it to be part of Tibet. This statement was reversed when he acknowledged the legality of the Indian claim and the McMahon Line.
Occupying an area of over 2172 sq km, the region of Tawang is compared to Scotland’s Harris and Lewis. Having been engraved out of the West Kameng region on the east and south, Tawang is also bordered by Bhutan to the west and Tibet to the North. Due to its history and shaky past, the region has a heavy military presence.
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| Hand
Crafts of Tawang |
Apart from its magnificent and absolutely beautiful monastery, Tawang is known for its beautiful local handicrafts and numerous small scale handicraft industries. While at Tawang it would also be advisable to visit the beautiful Sela Top Pass, which is simply contiguous to the town. This pass is colossal and steep and is snow capped for most parts of the year.
Tawang is also known for its beautiful colorful festivals namely Torgya and Losar. Celebrated once in a year, these festivals are believed to be the important religious activities and festivities of the Monpas People. The Losar festival is celebrates the beginning of the New Year, it is celebrated for 15 days, the first 3 days are very important.
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| Losar
Festival of Tawang |
One of the oldest Tibetan festivals, this festival is believed to even predate the religion of Buddhism. The origins of this beautiful festival can be traced to the Bon tradition, when every winter a special ceremony was conducted to appease the protectors, guardian deities and local spirits. Soon the festival became an annual Buddhist festival during the reign of the 9th King of Tibet.
The next important festival of the region is the Torgya Festival, which is held on the 3 days every year from the 28th day of the 11th month of the lunar calendar. The festival marks a ritual which is conducted to ward off evil and evil spirits from the Monastery. The festival is marked with dances and recitation of hymns from religious texts.
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| Pankang Teng Tso Lake Tawang [source] |
Apart from the festivals Tawang is particularly known for its natural beauty and breath-taking lakes. One of the most famous lakes of the region is P.T. Tso or Pankang Teng Tso, this mesmerizing lake is a perfect tourist location and is absolutely awe inspiring. The other heavenly lakes of the region are Banggachang Lake and the Sangetser Lake. Tawang is one of the most beautiful regions of the country and every individual who simply loves to travel, must plan a visit to this beautiful region of North East India.
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