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| Tawang Monestry | Monpa Ceremonial Dance Tawang Gompa | |||||||
| The Arunachal
Sojourn Arunachal Pradesh is situated in the extreme north – east corner of India and is nearly 84,000 sq. km. in area. It is bounded by the Mac Mohan line on its eastern border and inner line with Assam and Nagaland in the foothills. The land is mostly mountainous with 5 major river valleys – the Kameng, the Subansari, the Siang, the Lohit and the Tirap. High mountains and dense forests have prevented communication between tribes living in different valleys, resulting in over 26 major tribes with several different dialects living and flourishing with their distinct identities. The Tawang monastery stands on the spur of a hill, about 10,000 feet above sea level, offering a commanding and picturesque view of the Tawang Chu valley and is surrounded on all sides except on the east by mountains with snow peaks and pine forest below. According to lore, this was the place where the great treasure master, Padma Lingpa gave initiations such as Kagyad and Tamdin tantras and hence the place came to be known as Tawang. The inhabitants of this district are all Monpa tribe except Shiya village which is dominated by people of Tibetan origin. The Monpas are Buddhist by religion and the Tawang monastery is the fountainhead of their spiritual life. On our way back from the magical Tawang valley, we also visit the last stronghold of the one-horned rhino, and ride elephants through this park, located on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra. 
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