Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh is the easternmost state of India. Arunachal Pradesh means "land of the dawn lit mountains" in Sanskrit. It is also known as "land of the rising sun” due to its position as the easternmost state. Nearly 60 % of the people belong to major tribes. The people have a tradition which is diverse and of rich culture, language and beliefs. It attracts tourists from all over the world. Tourist attractions include the Namdapha tiger project in Changlang district, Sela Lake near to Bomdila, Malinithan in Lekhabali and Rukhmininagar near Roing, Parshuram Kund in Lohit district rare wilderness experience. The array of flora and fauna will sure impress any tourist. Wildlife, trekking, angling, birding, rafting and trekking are also available. The state bird is Horn Bill, state animal is Mithun, state flower is Fox tail orchid and state tree is Hollong. It is the richest biogeographically interesting province of the Himalayan zone. A complex hill system with varying elevations ranging from 50m in the foot-hills to about 7000m, traversed throughout by a number of rivers and rivulets. Wildlife sanctuaries abound in rare species. Different tribal groups still live in their traditional villages.

Some of the popular circuits are -

Tezpur - Bhalukpong - Bomdila - Tawang
Tinsukia – Tezu - Parasuramkund
Margherita – Miao - Namdapha
Itanagar - Ziro - Daporijo - Along – Pashighat
Roing - Mayudia – Anini
Pasighat – Jengging – Yingkiong and the
Tezpur – Seijosa (Pakhui) - Bhalukpong – Tipi.

General Information

Latitudes : 26^o 28' N and 29^o 30' N
Longitudes : 91^o 30' E and 96^o 30' E
Area : 83,743 kilometer square
Population : 1,091,117
Population Density : 13 / kilometer square
Male : 573951
Female : 517166
Capital : Itanagar
Districts : 16
Districts’ Names : Anjaw, Changlang, East Kameng, East Siang, Kurung Kumey, Lohit, Lower Dibang Valley, Lower Subansiri, Papum Pare, Tawang, Tirap, Upper Dibang Valley, Upper Subansiri, Upper Siang, West Kameng and West Siang
Literacy : 54.74%
Languages : English, Monpa, Apatani, Hill, Miri.
Forest Area : 61,000 square kilometers
Average Rainfall : 400 centimeter
Temperature Average : 18° C - 20° C
Highest Point : Kangto – 7090 meters, Nyegi kangsang – 7050 meters, Gorichen Main – 6488 meters and Gorichen : east 6222 meters.
North Border : China
West : Bhutan
South : Assam
South East : Nagaland
East Border : Burma
Major Tribes : Adi, Galo, Nishi, Khamti, Monpa and Apatani.
Major Rivers : Brahmaputra, Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Lohit & Tirap

Places to See in Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar
Along
Bomdila
Daporijo
Pashighat
Roing
Tezu (Parasuramkunda)
Tawang (Tawang Monastry)
Buddhist Gompa Tirap District
Changlang (Land of Bio-Diversity) District

Adventure Activities in Arunachal Pradesh

River Rafting: The Brahmaputra, Subansari, Lohit rivers
Trekking: Se La Pass, Margherita railhead, Tawang, Bombdila
Fishing and Angling: Pashighat, Bhalukpong, Tipi

Festivals and Fairs of Arunachal

The Losar Festival (Jan/Feb)
Torgya Festival
Saka Dawa or Saga Dawa (fourth month of the Lunar calendar marks Gautama Buddha's achievement of Nirvana)
Dupka Tse-Shi (sixth month of the Lunar calendar)
Lhabab Duechen (In the 9th month of Monpa)
Ganden Ngamchoe

Wildlife of Arunachal Pradesh

More than five hundred bird species have been recorded in Arunachal Pradesh, many of which are highly endangered and restricted to this state.

Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary (East Kameng)
Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary (Lower Subansiri)
Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary (Dibang Valley Lohit)
Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary (Lohit)

Pilgrimage / Places of worship in Arunachal

Parashuram Kund
Bomdila Monastery
Urguelling Monastery
Tawang Monastery
Malinithan Temple

Art and Craft of Arunachal Pradesh

Handmade carpets
Wooden Masks
Pottery Painting
Smithy Work
Basketry

Dance and Music of Arunachal

Aji Lamu (Monpa Tribe)
Roppi (Nishing Tribe)
Hiirii Khaniing (Apatani Tribe)
Popir (Adi Tribe)
Pasi Kongki (Adi)
Chalo (Nocte Tribe)

Cuisine of Arunachal Pradesh

Rice, Meat, Rice Beer, Paa-Saa (fish soup), Eka, Yi, Paro & Hikhu, Alyi Yo & Guiyang Hamang, Sihi Yo Sangkho, Momo, Thukpa, Gyapa, Khazi>

Connectivity of Arunachal

By Air: The nearest airport is Lilabari in Assam, which is 67kms from Itanagar. Another important airport is Tezpur (Assam), which is 216kms from Itanagar and is connected to Kolkata.
By Rail: The nearest railway station Harmuty, is only 33 km from Itanagar. Most convenient railhead is North Lakhimpur in Assam.
By Road: Road network connects Itanagar with Guwahati (381 km), Shillong (481kms), Agartala (980kms), Kolkata (l,539kms) and other important cities in the region.