SELA PASS At an altitude of 13200 ft/4150 meters above sea level is one of the highlights of the Tawang Trip in Arunachal Pradesh. After a couple of hours' drive from Dirang and driving up through winding roads, this Pass connects Tawang District with West Kameng and the rest of the North East region. The Sela Lake just nearby is a beautiful sight one can have and forget the tiring journey to reach here.
The Sela Lake is among the 101 holy lakes found in the region as per the local belief. Though the lake remains in a completely frozen state during the winter time we were lucky to witness the pristine blue water of the lake. Truly amazing and beautiful. The mountains around the pass were covered in snow when we reached there. At 13700 ft, you also find a beautiful lake. We could not go close to the lake due to the snow on the banks and snowfall but the area is serene nevertheless.
BUM LA PASS The Bum La Pass is a border pass between China's Tsona County in Tibet and India's Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh. It is 37 km away from the town of Tawang in India's Tawang district and 43 km from the town of Tsona Dzong in China’s Tsona County. The road to the pass takes visitors through many sleepy hamlets and scenic lakes, making the drive memorable.
Maintained by the Indian Army, Bumla Pass is a must for those who want to see how Indian soldiers protect the borders in the harshest of climes. One can visit Bumla Pass after obtaining a special permit and get to roam in the breathtaking wilderness here. Covered with snow throughout the year, Bumla Pass is a famous spot for picnics at an elevation of 5000 m above sea level. Bumla Pass is best visited from May to October.
TAWANG BUDDHIST MONASTRY Tawang Monastery, located in Tawang City of Tawang district in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, is the largest monastery in India. The Monastery is the second biggest and oldest in Asia and is known as the Tawang Ganden Namgyal Lhatse i.e., the celestial paradise of the divine site chosen by the horse was founded by Merag Lodroe Gyamtso in the year 1680-81.
The Dalai Lama gave him a painting of the goddess Palden Lhamo to be kept in the monastery. Bomdila Monastery was established in the year 1965 and it represents the spiritual essence of Buddhism. It is situated close to Tipi Orchid Research Center in West Kameng district. Followers of Mahayana Buddhism consider this place sacred. The monastery resembles the Tsona Gontse Monastery of South Tibet.
MADHURI LAKE The Sangestar Tso, formerly called Shonga-tser Lake and popularly known as the Madhuri Lake, is located on the way from Tawang to Bum La Pass in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, near the Indo-China border above 3,708 meters above sea level. Formed by a flash flood after an earthquake in the year 1950, Madhuri Lake is originally known as Shonga-the Lake, which is one of the most popular lakes in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
The lake was renamed so after the shooting of the Bollywood movie Koyla, starring Madhuri Dixit, the beautiful actress. The lake has been surrounded by wonderfully lush valleys and snow-capped mountains. A leisure walk is the best way to explore the picturesque surroundings of the lake.
NURANANG FALLS Is some 100 meters high, is located in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in this part of the country, yet is unknown to many travelers. It came to the limelight when a song from the movie Koyla featuring Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, Tanhai Tanhai Tanhai was shot here and at Sangetser Lake in 1997. It was the first shot from the state shown in a Bollywood movie. And second, was a song named "Mitha Mitha" from Hiya Diya Niya in 2000. The Nuranang River originates from the Northern slopes of the Sela Pass. And below the waterfall, it falls into the Tawang River. There are several famous waterfalls in India. Of these, the Aathirapally Falls in Kerala is also known as the Niagara Falls of India.
THE GOLDEN PAGODA The splendid golden pagoda built in the Thai/Burmese style sits majestically amidst a beautifully landscaped garden surrounded by lush greenery and exudes peace and serenity. Within the golden pagoda is housed a beautiful gilded statue of Buddha which is modeled on the kala Buddha of Nalanda archive.
The origin of the Pagoda can be traced back to India or we can say the place where Buddhism evolved. According to Buddhist literature, pagodas were built to preserve the remains of Shakyamuni. In Sanskrit, pagoda means 'tomb or burial place'. The pagoda structure derives from that of the stupa, a hemispherical, domed, commemorative monument first constructed in ancient India. Initially, these structures symbolized sacred mountains, and they were used to house relics or remains of saints and kings.
PARSHURAM KUND It is a famous holy place of worship that is steeped in Hinduism and is much venerated by them. It falls within the Kamlang reserve forests and is surrounded by dense forests. Parshuram Kund is also known as Brahma Kund. 21km northeast of Tezu City: Parasuramkonda State: Arunachal Pradesh Location: East India Altitude: 3500 meters from Sea level Type of Construction: Ancient Type of Building: Pilgrimage Center Dedicated To: Other Other Deities: Lord Parashuram Religion: Hinduism Importance: for a holy dip in the sacred kund. One can approach the kund by climbing down 200 steep steps. The place can be approached by road, either from Tinisukia via Doomdooma-Rupai-Namsai or from Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh.
THUPSUNG DHARGYE LING It’s the second-largest monastery in the world. It's one of the most popular destinations to travel to in Arunachal Pradesh. The Monastery is the second biggest and oldest in Asia and is known as the Tawang Ganden Namgyal Lhatse i.e., the celestial paradise of the divine site chosen by the horse was founded by Merag Lodroe Gyamtso in the year 1680-81. A small town located amidst the eastern Himalayan ranges, Tawang is a town in northeastern India famous for its 400-year-old monastery. This monastery is one of the biggest Buddhist monasteries to be found in India and is an important pilgrim center for the followers of Buddhism.
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