Tawang located in the heart of the North-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, is world renowed for its 400 year old Buddhist monastery.The monastery was founded by a monk, Mera Lama, a contemporary of the fifth Dalai Lama. Before the establishment of the Monastery, Tawang was a centre of Tantric religion. The Tawang Monastery is also known as the ‘Galden Namgyal Lhatse’.
Tawang predominantly a Buddhist centre appears as the last link with the civilization with its modern sloped houses, a thriving bazaar, satellite communication and all the other amenities of modern life.Beyond it lies the forbidden land of Tibet to the north, connected by the Bum La and Tulung La passes. Tawang's popularity and importance lies in the fact that it houses one of the biggest and most famous Mahayana monasteries, which standing on a ridge 2760 metres high, overlooking the wide valley and surrounded on all sides by towering mountains, is a magnificent site in itself. Established in 1643-47 by a Monpa Lama called Lodre Gyaltso (popularly known as Mera Lama) this large fortified monastery spreads over 140 square metres and is enclosed by a compound wall 610 metres long. The complex comprises 65 residential buildings, numerous lanes by-lanes and 10 other structures including chortens. The fountain of spiritual life for followers of the Geluopa sect of Monpas and Sherdukpens, this three-storeyed Gompha has a capacity to house 500 lamas. Religious dances and outdoor ceremonies are held during festivals. Rich wonderful gold work is done on the main door. The main assembly hall called the Duknang has a large number of icons of the Buddha and Rimpoche (a Buddhist priest) in various sizes.The ceilings are covered with murals and richly embellished pillars. In the rear chamber is a richly gilded idol of a seated Buddha. Besides the temple, the monastery also houses the establishment of the head priest, living chambers of the lamas and an ancient library. The ‘Parkhang’ hall of the monastery houses the library which boasts rare hand written and block-printed Thankas or manuscripts of revered books like ‘Tangym’, ‘Kangyur’ and ‘Sungbhum’. The other uncommon works of Buddhist literature include 108 gold-embossed manuscripts of the ‘Teaching of Lord Buddha’ and 225 volumes of the explanations of Buddha’s teachings covered with specially designed moth - proof silk adorned with paintings. The monastery complex also includes a towering 18 ft high gilded statue of the Buddha. There is also a craft centre, which produces exquisite woollen carpets. Unlike many monastries in Ladakh and Zanskar, Tawang is vibrantly alive in this modern age.

Cities of Arunachal Pradesh

Bomdila, Itanagar, Pasighat, Tawang