Tawang Town

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Tawang | type = city | latd = 27.58 | longd = 91.87
locator_position = left | state_name = Arunachal Pradesh
district = Tawang
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 2669
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 4456| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
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Tawang (bo|t=རྟ་དབང་|w=Rta-dbang) is a small town situated at an elevation of approximately 3048 meters (10,000 feet) in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh. The town once served as the district headquarters of West Kameng district, and became the district headquarters of Tawang district when it was formed from West Kameng.

Geography

Tawang town is located approximately 555 km (344.86 miles) from Guwahati. Tawang is located at coord|27.58|N|91.87|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/30/Tawang.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Tawang] ] It has an average elevation of 2669 metres (8756 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Tawang had a population of 4456. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Tawang has an average literacy rate of 63%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 70%, and female literacy is 55%. In Tawang, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Tourism

The Tawang Monastery of the Gelugpa sect in Tawang town was built by the Mera Lama in 1681. This monastery is one of the largest in the country and is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries world-wide. It is a major holy site for Tibetan Buddhists. China claims Tawang and briefly occupied it during the 1962 Sino-Indian War.

Visitors to Tawang require special Inner Area permit from the government which is available in Kolkata or Guwahati. Most of the travel from the plains is on a steep hill road journey and one needs to cross Sela Pass (13700 feet). In June 2008 a helicopter service from Guwahati was started by the Arunachal Pradesh government.

Bhalukpung Orchid sanctury houses thousands of varieties of orchids.

Tourists can travel from Tezpur, Assam, which is 12 hours by road. Tezpur has direct flights from Kolkata.

Guwahati, Assam, is 16 hours by road. A daily helicopter service between Tawang and Guwahati was inaugurated by Arunachal Pradesh's Governor J.J. Singh in June 2008.

Road travel to Tawang from Tezpur, Assam, is via buses, private taxis and shared taxis. It is an arduous journey: most of the road is loose tarmac and gravel giving way to mud in many places. However it is a scenic journey of nearly 12 hours, crossing Bomdila Pass (8000 feet), peaking at Sela Pass (13700 feet), Jaswant Garh and then, finally, Tawang. Government buses often break down (usually on the way up) and passengers end up hitchhiking in private cars and taxis. En route one can sample local food especially meat & vegetarian momos and cream buns. Hilarious road safety signs posted by the Border Roads Organisation keeps one entertained throughout the journey.

ee also

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References

External links

* [http://arunachalpradesh.nic.in/tawang.htm District website]
* [http://www.journeymart.com/holidays-getaways/India/Tawang/index.asp?ct=87&q=Tawang Tawang holiday]
* [http://india.journeymart.com/tawang/ Tawang]
* [http://www.hillstationsinindia.com/east-india-hill-stations/tawang.html]