In last post we were in Tawang and had visited nuranang-falls-and-tawang-monastery. Today We will visit the places in and around Tawang.
As I have told in my earlier posts, you will need an Inner line permit to visit Arunachal Pradesh. It is available offline on Guwahati Airport as well as on Guwahati railway station. It's available online as well. You will need your photographs, id and address proof for the permit.
In Tawang city wherever you go, from there, you will notice the Giant Buddha statue. Locals call it Big Buddha. It is comparatively a new structure, built in 2015. A huge statue of Gautam Buddha or Shakyamuni sits on the top of a small hill. There is a temple and prayer hall under the statue.
In the temple there is a large idol of Guru Padmasambhav. He is regarded to be the historically identifiable founder of Tibetan Buddhism as per the writings in the temple.
There are beautiful paintings on the wall depicting important incidences from Buddha's life. The journey from Siddharth to Buddha is also painted on the walls in the temple. I must say, that the paintings of Siddharth and Yashodhara are really unique and beautiful.
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| Giant Buddha Statue, Tawang |
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| A closer view of the Giant Buddha |
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| Guru Padmasambhav Idol and Dalai Lama photograph. |
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| The Light |
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| Bodhi stupa with relic and statue of 13th Rinpoche |
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| Omniscient Buddha |
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| Posing for Photograph! |
The view from this place if simply magnificent! The Himalayan ranges which are surely more magnificent than any of the objectives you can think of! The clear blue sky, the peaceful atmosphere and the festoons typical of this region surely have such a calming effect.
In Tawang market we could see lots and lots of festoons.
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| Tawang Market Road |
Tawang was the place of a fierce battle in 1962 India China war. Tawang war memorial is about 1 km from the city Centre. This building is designed like a stupa, which goes well with the local beliefs. The names of the soldiers, who have sacrificed their lives in Tawang region in the war, to protect India can be seen here. More than 2400 names.. you feel so humbled by their sacrifice. You can read the history of the war in the museum, can see some weapons used in the war. There is a model of the region with McMahon line and a army officer will tell you about the events and chronology in the war.
This line was drawn on the map by Sir Henry McMahon, foreign secretary of British run India, in 1914. This was the official border between India and Tibet. This line has been always the reason of conflict between India and China as China refuses to accept the agreement done in 2014 and claims major part of Arunachal Pradesh as it's own territory.
Near the war memorial you can see some weapons. Here is the photograph of Bofors 40 M L/ Light anti air craft gun. This is really light, only 2400 kg in weight! These guns were used effectively in second world war as well.
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| Bofors |
There is a statue of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj near the war memorial.
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| Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Near Tawang War Memorial |
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| Shivaji Maharaj ki Jay!! |
Surely one feels proud to see the Shivaji Maharaj Statue in Arunachal Pradesh. Seeing the war memorial is altogether different feeling. It's respect, pride, sadness, guilt...everything overwhelming. It's said that the brooks had turned red by the soldier's blood. They died while fighting so that we can stay safe and became immortal.
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| Tawang War Memorial |
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| Tawang War Memorial |
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| Tawang War Memorial |
In the evening, after the sunset, there is a light and sound show in the war memorial campus. It's actually a film about the 1962 war.
It's an open air theatre, so better you be equipped for the cold weather. The show is mostly house full, so try to reach a little early. Please carry a torch with you, as after the show it will be pitch dark outside and you will have to walk to the parking place. Don't miss the show. It tells us about the heroic stories of the Indian soldiers in the 1962 war.
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| Before the show |
Next day we started for Bumla Pass. You can't take your vehicle to Bumla Pass. As the roads are really bad, some special vehicles are required to go there. The vehicles with drivers are easily available, of course pre booking is required. Even your hotel manager can arrange the vehicle.
There is a special pass required for going to Bumla, which you have to take in Tawang city and have to show to the military check point before entering the Bumla region. Only Indian citizens can go to Bumla.
The road is really bad and bumpy, while going you will be able to count the number of bones in your body. But be thankful, that there is a road. In 1962, our soldiers had travelled hundreds of kilometers, on foot, with their luggage on their back. They reached Tawang and had faced the battle. You have to just sit in the car and travel.
Your passes will be checked in the military check post and then you will be allowed to travel on the road to Bumla. After travelling only a few kms, but for some hours, you will reach to the entry gate.
There will be surely snow everywhere. After parking you have to walk to the check post. Checking will be done. All belongings including phones will be kept in the custody of a military officer and then you will be allowed to go to the Bumla pass border. Needless to say that photographs are not allowed!
This place is 15200 ft above the sea level and it's chilling cold. You may feel difficulty in breathing due to the cold as well as low level of oxygen in the air. How our soldiers must have fought here?
You can see India China border at a distance. A military officer will tell you information about the place, about the war. Then of course, you will feel like shouting the slogans of Bharatmata ki jai and Vande Mataram!!
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| Bumla Pass |
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| Military Checkpost |
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| The Icon |
Bum La pass is also iconic for one more incident. Due to the Chinese oppressions, Dalai Lama had to leave Tibet and as a refugee he had entered India, via this Bum La pass route.
While returning from BumLa to Tawang, though can't say on the way, but you can go to the famous Madhuri lake. The original name of the lake is Sangestar lake. The lake was named after the Bollywood actress Madhuri Dikshit, after the shooting of the movie Koyla, in this area.
The lake is formed by earthquake and flash floods around 1950. The location is picturesque. There are snow clad mountains, the lake and lot of greenery around it. The fallen trees now stand as poles in the lake and add a character to the lake. There is a walkway and you can enjoy beauty of the lake from some sheltered view points as well. This area is very cold nearly for whole of the year. The lake is in frozen state for some months. Thankfully when we went, we could see water in the lake!
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| Madhuri Lake |
We went all the way to the Madhuri lake from Bumla Pass. That was 31st October 2019. The road is not in great condition. It takes long time to travel on that bumpy road. So we had spent some hours in that journey and within 5 minutes of our reaching there, we could experience the change in the weather. The weather became extremely cold, with harsh winds and clouds in the sky. It became impossible to stand in the open. All the tourists who were there near the lake, literally ran towards their vehicles.
The weather changes like this are very common in Himalayan ranges of Arunachal. So though we had travelled a lot for viewing this lake, we could actually spend only five minutes there. This is a part and parcel of the travels. You surely plan many things, but whether the plan will be successful or not ,is not in your hands! Many times you don't have any control on it...just like life.
Stay home, stay safe. A few more months and we will be out of this Corona. Till that time, enjoy reading travel blogs!
#BomdilaTawangRoute #OneDayTourFromTawang #IndiaChinaBorder #1962IndiaChinaWar #WhatToDoInTawang
#14thDalaiLama
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