There are some places which are amazing, but if they are near to some major tourist attraction, these places become only a night halt place. Dirang is one such place. Many tourists go there, but only as stop over for a night on the way to Tawang. Some stay there for a night to get acclimatized to the weather and altitude.
Compared to colder Tawang at 3048m height from sea level, Dirang has a pleasant climate and is at 1560m from sea level. Dirang is only 130 kms from Tawang but the road goes from hilly areas and gives you roller coaster rides many times! If you are lucky and the climate is favorable then you will reach in only 4 hours from Dirang to Tawang.
By this time you must have guessed that Dirang is in Arunachal Pradesh, the land/mountain of rising Sun! Arunachal is also known as fruit orchard of India. Arunchal Pradesh is known for its biodiversity. Many species of birds, mammals, plants can be seen in Arunachal Pradesh.
Dirang has all these attributes. The weather is awesome with clear skies. The blueness of the sky amazes you. The pollution level is very very low. You can feel it actually!
The previous day was really hectic. We had travelled from Gohati to Bomdilla which was really tiring and a long journey. We stayed in Bomdilla for a night and started for Dirang in the morning.
Bomdilla Dirang is a short journey of two hours. You will get to see mountain peaks of East himalayan Ranges. The peaks will be clad with white clouds making it difficult to judge whether the peaks are covered in snow or clouds!
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| East Himalayan Mountain ranges |
I knew that highest mountain peak in Arunachal is Gorichen. So with every passing and visible mountain peak on the road, I would think that it's Gorichen!! Though not Gorichen, you can see a snow clad peak here in this photograph!
Then I came to know that highest peak in this district is Kamate. So now every, relatively high peak was Kamate for me!! Arunachal Pradesh is rightly called as area of the mountains with rising sun or area with dawn lit mountains.
Sun rises really very early in Arunachal Pradesh and at 7p.m. it's already night there! The travel never allows you to look inside your vehicle. All the time, you will be looking out of the window.
The mountain peaks of Himalayan ranges glittering with sun rays offer an immemorable view. Some times they are fearsome, some times the roads are bumpy but still the journey is surely amazing and breathtaking!1
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| Snow clad mountain peak |
Dirang is a small village town in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is situated on the banks of Kameng river.
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| Glimpses of the town. |
The places to visit are Kalchakra Gompa, a small 500 year old Buddhist monastery, Dirang Dzong, ruins of a fort and hot water springs. Now the Dirang Dzong is a residential area.
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| Dirang Dzong. 📷Girish Tilak |
We decided to avoid all these tourist places. We went to LDL Buddhist monastery and Sangti valley. In both these places, there was hardly any one apart from our group. We enjoyed the peace and beauty of nature.
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| In case you have any doubt! |
The road from the entrance is steep. Though it is not much a climb, due to the thin air and less oxygen in the air, you feel like you have climbed a mountain!!
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| The steep road to monastery |
This is really a serene place. The construction is a new construction. The well maintained building and garden, surely spread a positive vibe. There was no one in the monastery when we went there, except the gardeners. They posed gladly for the photograph.
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| This is how we pose!! |
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| Work in progress |
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| Work in progress! |
The garden was very well maintained. The campus was sparkling clean. After some time two local ladies came there for prayer with some offerings. When I asked, they told me that they come here every morning for prayer.
The serenity of the place is striking and while roaming in the campus, being there, you feel like you are doing meditation. The blue skies, white clouds, surrounding mountains, the peacefulness of the place and the Buddha statue, everything adds to the spirituality of the place.
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| LDL Monastery 📷Girish Tilak |
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| The Campus |
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| Another view |
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| Beautiful Flowers |
This photograph was my last year's Diwali greeting! We were here on Diwali day 2019. That was 28th Oct.2019.
The monastery looked stunning with it's newly painted exteriors. Inside the monastery, I haven't taken any photographs. It was really quiet inside with the all knowing Buddha statue. A great place for prayers and meditation.
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| What a day!! Clear blue skies! |
I have read one quote, "If the sight of blue skies fills you with joy, rejoice, for your soul is alive"!! Arunachal is the place to awaken your soul!!
Dirang has one more hidden gem, the name of the place is Sangti valley. Thankfully still it hasn't become a famous tourist spot, so it's natural beauty is unhindered and unhampered! It's well known to the trekkers and campers. In some years, when Sangti Valley becomes famous, I am sure it will be flooded with people and I fear that it's beauty will be hampered.
Bordered with the Himalayan ranges, a crystal clear river flowing through it and the dense forests, you are transported to some another world!!
Sangti valley is about 15 kms from Dirang. The road is beautiful. There are many fruit orchards along the road. If you are lucky and visiting there at proper season, then you will get to see Kiwis, Apples and oranges in the orchards.
You will find colorful festoons hung on the roads and bridges. The festoons dancing merrily with the wind surely add a charm to the ambience. There are some mantras written on them.
The houses are small and beautiful. They are built on mountain slopes on the bank of the river. Every house will have some vegetables kept for drying on the roofs. We saw corn cobs tied with a string and hung on the windows or roofs for drying. That must be their provision for the cold winter season. There were large pumpkins as well, basking in the sun on the roofs! Of course, not to be missed vegetable on the roofs were chillies, the famous Bhut Jolokia Chillies of Arunachal Pradesh.
Each and every house will have some small beautiful pots of plants with colorful and bright fresh flowers. If you see someone, they will instantaneously smile and will be ready to speak with you. Gentle and friendly people!
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| Bridge and festoons |
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| Crystal clear water, mountain ranges and festoons |
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| House of an orchard owner |
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| Well.. you can't stop taking photos!! |
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| Kiwis |
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| Pumpkin! |
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| Probably the bhut Jolokia -famous chilies of Arunachal. |
We could see a local house. The household was planning to have home stay facility for the tourists in the season. So they were making arrangements for that.
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| Local house. |
Surely this homestay venue will be fantastic. So near to the river and mountains! I saw something interesting in that house. Most probably, what I could gather from the lady of the house was.. this could be sea weeds. They were drying it and were going to store it for the year long use.
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| Lady of the house |
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| Sea weed |
The area is getting ready for being a tourist spot. Till then, if you need very hi tech facilities, Arunachal Travel is not for you. There won't be any lifts in the hotels, the restaurants will be very simple establishments, the roads will be really rough. The hotels where you are staying, will provide you with simple food if you inform them before hand. Otherwise getting vegetarian and vegan food outside will be a tough job.
We saw a group of tourists, the people were grumbling about all these. Better study the area where you are planning to go, get your expectations right! Arunachal is known for it's scenic beauty and not for the modern amenities.
Still, in spite of all these, I would suggest everyone to visit Arunachal. Visit Arunachal. See and experience the beauty of the nature. See diversity of Indian culture.
Now, here comes the famous sunrise of Arunachal Pradesh.
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| Rising Sun 📷Pradnya Sathe |
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