Arunachal Pradesh is a state that is located in the eastern crown of India as a jewel. This region is famous due to its snow-capped mountains, mystic valleys, and tribal customs; however, its rich historical background brings additional fame to it. Starting with centuries old monasteries, the old forts and war memorials, place to visit in Arunachal Pradesh, a story of faith, courage, and perseverance. When a tourist wants to explore history as well as experience a clean natural beauty, there are no better sites to be seen in Arunachal Pradesh than its numerous heritage sites.
Tawang Monastery – A Spiritual Living Heritage.
The Tawang Monastery is the biggest in India and second biggest in the world. It was the centre of Mahayana Buddhism in the area, and it was only established in the 17 th century by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso. The monastery is an ancient bookstore with lots of antique scriptures, murals, a huge golden statue of Buddha and is not merely a religious establishment but a kind of cultural landmark that holds back the culture of the Monpa tribe. Going to Tawang is like going to a living museum whereby spirituality and heritage blend together in an unbroken continuum.
Ita Fort- Medieval Architecture Remnant.
The historic Ita Fort is located in the Itanagar, the capital of the state, and dates back to the 14th-15th century. Its very name, Ita, translates to brick and the fort is said to have been made using almost 80 lakh bricks. The architectural genius of the Chutia dynasty is testified in this fort. Spread over with ruins, the surviving walls and stoneworks of the fort provide a priceless insight into the medieval history of Arunachal. It is also one of the most excellent heritage buildings, and one of the places that cannot be ignored when visiting Arunachal Pradesh.
Malinithan- Mythology and Stone Carvings.
The site of Malinithan is an immensely archeological and mythical one located close to Likabali. Digs here have revealed complex stone figures, temple foundations, and idols which have shown the mixture of Hindu and tribal influences. It is even said that this was the place where Lord Krishna and Rukmini had stopped on their way. The Malinithan ruins present the work of ancient masons and have been an attraction to the historians, archeologists, and even avid travellers.
Bhismaknagar Fort -Legends of Mahabharata.
The Bhismaknagar Fort is the next destination in Roing that takes the traveler still further into history. The fort has its origins as related to Mahabharata, it is thought that the fort was linked with King Bhismaka the father of Rukmini. Through archaeological digs, the fort has been found to have been built by the use of stone and bricks and the massive dimension of the fort indicates high construction methods as it was done way back in the ancient times. The fort is a legendary mixture of mythology and heritage and that is why it is a must-see location to visit in Arunachal Pradesh by history lovers.
Jaswant Garh War Memorial -A Memorial to Heroism.
Arunachal heritage is more than ancient, it is also modern and is based on the tales of courage. The Jaswant Garh War Memorial (near Tawang) is a tribute to the Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat that fought against Chinese forces in a rather heroic manner in the 1962 war of Indo-China. The memory is contained in the Indian Army, which keeps the personal belongings, photographs, and war relics. The location is dedicated to the history of sacrifice and patriotism which is why this is one of the most motivational places that a traveler can visit.
Thembang Fortified Village- UNESCO World Heritage.
The Thembang Fortified Village is an incredible destination to people interested in the living heritage. It is an old settlement site, recognized by UNESCO and inhabited by a Monpa tribe, which includes stone houses that are centuries old with fortification walls. Thembang, in contrast to ruins, remains an important place, and people may get a real idea of tribal culture, architecture, and the way of life based on the concept of sustainable ways to live. It is an unbelievable cultural experience which combines history with the dynamism of the present.
Mecuka Valley – History and The Beauty of Nature.
Besides its natural beauty, Mechuka valley has a 400 year old Samten Yongcha Monastery. The monastery overlooks the valley, and it is built in the Tibetan style that preserves valuable religious objects. Mechuka is an interesting place to visit due to the combination of un-spoilt landscapes and rich spiritual history. It is a historical but relaxing place that travelers will visit in Arunachal Pradesh.
Comparison with Neighboring Assam.
Arunachal Pradesh is rich in its heritage, and as one travels to Arunachal Pradesh, there is no denial of the fact that it has cultural ties with Assam. Ahom dynasty of Assam who had an engineering wonder such as an Sivasagar tanks and temples tended to influence other areas outside the dynasty. Pilgrimage sites such as Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati or historical sites in Majuli add to the rich history of the Northeast of India in general. To the travelers, who may wish to add on to their tours, there are various Tourist Destinations in Assam that will most certainly be a boon to the heritage trail of Arunachal. The combination of these two states gives a fluidity of culture, spirituality and history.
What is So Special about the Heritage Sites of Why Visit Arunachal?
Cultural Immersion- Get to know the cultures of different tribes which have been maintaining their cultures over centuries.
Spiritual Discovery Buddhist monasteries and Hindu legends, the locations portray the pluralistic faith of India.
Architectural Thesis- Explore castles, stone carvings and ruins which are a sign of high level of craftsmanship.
Patriotic Inspiration War memorials accentuate contemporary history and the loss of gallant soldiers.
Natural Harmony-Majority of heritage sites are located in stunning sceneries where history is presented with a backdrop of natural beauty.
Tourist Guide to Heritage Touring in Arunachal Pradesh.
Peak season: It is pleasant during October to April.
Local Guides: To gain more knowledge about the history and traditions, it is possible to hire local guides.
Permits: Inner Line Permits (ILP) are necessary to Indian citizens and Protected Area Permits (PAP) to foreigners in some of the areas.
Connection: Poor mobile networks might exist in remote parts, therefore, arrange that.
Respect Culture: This is an active religious area and dress modestly and consider local ways.
Conclusion
Arunachal pradesh is not merely a home to magnificent mountains and rivers, it carries centuries of history. Be it monasteries such as Tawang or forts such as Bhismaknagar, mythological places such as Malinithan or even memorials such as Jaswant Garh, every place has got a tale to tell that adds to the cultural fabric of India. The trip is a complete tour of the heritage of Northeast India when paired with other neighboring Tourist Destinations in Assam. These are the most important places one can ever visit in Arunachal Pradesh and this especially applies to any traveler who loves history and spirituality and his or her living culture.
