Galden Namgyal Lhatse
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The
spiritual center of the universe for the Monpas is the
Tawang Galden Namgyal Lhatse, also know as Tawang Monastery.
The monastery was founded Mera Lama, the contemporary
of the fifth Lama.
About forty years of construction work, starting from
the 1640s, was needed to complete the structure. After
three centuries of peace, this monastery was badly damaged
by the Chinese invasion of 1962, with priceless murals
and Tankhas (also spelt as Thankas or Thangkas) being
destroyed. Reconstruction work still continues in parts
of the monastery. There are two major religious festivals
of the Monpas viz "Dungyur and Torgya" festivals,
celebrated at the premises of the Tawang Monastery with
traditional gaiety and enthusiasm. |
On the Way to Tawang
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On
the way to Tawang lies the World's second highest pass,
the Sela Pass through a high altitude lake of crystal
blue water. Both sides of the lake are decked with miles
of rhodendrons. There is also a Orchidarium at Tipi near
the banks of the Kameng River in the West Kameng District,
enroute Tawang.
Tawang Library
The library is a repository of thousands of block-printed
commentaries and treatises on the subject of Mahayana
Buddhism. This is a valuable resource for Buddhist scholars
in the region. Even the paper used is produced by the
Monpas locally, from the bark of the Hong Seng tree.
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Pankang Teng Tso Lake
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There
are beautiful lakes around Tawang, the most being Pankang
Teng Tso (P.T. Tso) Lake, only 17 km away from maddening
crowd of township. It is a beautiful natural site, providing
the tourists with eye soothing vistas. Other awesome lakes
are Sangetser Lake, and Banggachang Lake. |
Some Important Destinations near Tawang:
Bomdila is 185 km from Tawang, which is also a major link
between Tawnag and other parts of India.
Dirang is at a distance of 143 km from Tawang. Jang is just
42 km away. Lumla is 45 km away.
The distance between Tawang & Zemithang is 93 km. Tawang
is also connected to Tezpur (Assam) about 345 km from Tawang.
Bhalukpong is 285 km from Tawang.
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