Dirang: Arunachal Pradesh’s Hidden Magical World

It is a paradise for nature lovers, trekkers, birdwatchers and photographers. It is home to orchards of apple, orange and apricot and farms of kiwi. It is one of those places that is perfect for a rustic, quiet and blissful time in the lower reaches of the Eastern Himalayas. I am talking about the village of Dirang in Western Arunachal Pradesh that is surrounded by lush forests and gorgeous mountains of the Eastern Himalayas.



Located at an altitude of 5,200 feet above MSL, Dirang is a picturesque valley between Bomdila and Tawang. It shares its traditions and heritage with Western Bhutan and it mainly comprises of the people from the Monpa tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. In addition to its spectacular natural beauty, it is known for its hot water springs, apple orchards and Yak research center.



The top tourist attractions in Dirang include:

1) Dirang Dzong: A 19th century stone fort strategically located on the top of a hill and that is home to houses made of stone and wood

2) National Yak research center: for those who wish to see yaks up close and know more about them

3) Fruit orchards: Spread across Dirang are beautiful apple, apricot and orange orchards and kiwi farms that decorate the landscape with their fruits across the year

4) Hot water spring: Known for its curative properties, this medicinal sulphur bath is ideal for those seeking to relax

5) Sangti Valley: Seasonal home, feeding and breeding site of black-necked cranes that migrate to the valley in November and December from China before returning with their young ones in April and May every year

6) Madla Phudong: A fabulous trekking and birdwatching location

7) Kalachakra Gompa: A beautiful Buddhist monastery overlooking the valley



Dirang has all the ingredients to be called Arunachal Pradesh’s hidden magical world. Most tourists heading to Tawang either stop here for a brief pit stop or at most spend a night here. But, Dirang has so much more to offer to all nature lovers, birdwatchers, adventure enthusiasts and for those who seek solitude in a pristine ecosystem. Its indigenous tribal culture adds to the charm for those who wish to spend a longer time here. I cannot rave enough about this place. You will know when you see it for yourself up close and in real.



How to reach there:

The nearest airport with the best connectivity would be Guwahati (312 kms away). The nearest railway station with the best connectivity would be Chaparmukh junction (282 kms away) or Guwahati (312 kms away).

The best way to travel to Dirang would be through your own mode of transportation, but if you really want to get a local flavour, you can catch a bus to Tezpur –> Bomdila and then to Dirang. The journey will take you a long while, but it will be very cheap and you will get to spend time with the local people. For sightseeing around Dirang, you can hitchhike, rent a bike or hire a cab.



Best season to visit:

Dirang is beautiful to visit all year round as the temperatures stay fairly moderate.

If black necked cranes are on your agenda, visit between November and April.

If fruit orchards are on your mind, visit between August and December.

If you want a hill station like vibe, the summer months would be ideal.

And if you want the entire place to yourself, visit Dirang during the winter months.



Where to stay:

One of the oldest hotels in Dirang is Hotel Pemaling. It commands a great view and is a mid-range hotel. A hotel in a similar price range is Awoo resort. Both these properties are located a bit outside the town and command a good view. Hotel Sangeyla, Green valley lodge and Hotel snow lion located in the town are good budget options.



Where to eat:

One can either eat at the basic restaurants in Dirang town center or eat at your place of stay. Some places might want you to order in advance. Fruits and snacks can be easily bought from the markets of Dirang.



Other nearby tourist attractions:

1) Sangti Valley: A gorgeous valley that is the also the breeding ground for the migratory black necked cranes

2) Bomdila: Headquarters of the West Kameng district and home to a massive Buddhist monastery

3) Sela Pass: A scenic high altitude pass located at 13,700 feet above MSL that is home to some exotic Himalayan birds

4) Tawang: India’s true Shangri-La and a 10,000 feet high hill station that is home to the largest Buddhist monastery in India

5) Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary: Birdwatcher’s paradise in the Himalayas

6) Nameri National Park: Assam’s wildlife haven

7) Bumla Pass: A high altitude mountain pass on the India-China border

8) Tongpen la view point: A 15,150 feet high panoramic mountain vista

9) Tak-Tsang Gompa: A remote Buddhist monastery located at 13,000 feet

10) Sangetsar Lake: A 12,000 feet high mountain lake that presents abundant mountain vistas

11) Jung Falls: A gorgeous waterfall located 35 kms before Tawang

Continue Reading...

Visions of Corn from Dirang

It was a bright and nippy winter day and I was at the tiny hill station of Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh. The place was very scenic and beautiful, but the vision that remains etched in my mind is that of the corn stacks that could be seen nearly everywhere in this pretty hill station and around.



Whether I was inside the Dirang Basti or was exploring the tribal villages in Sangti valley, these corn stacks greeted me everywhere. Their bright orange colour stood out beautifully in the Himalayan sun.



It looked like most of these corn stacks were kept out to dry. I am assuming that this corn would help the locals bide the bitter cold winter and hence they were drying them out and making them ready for storage.



But, then, this is just an intelligent assumption of mine. Would you know the true reason?



In any case, here are some more of these interesting corn pictures.

Continue Reading...

Tribal Houses from Dirang Dzong

While I was at the Himalayan hill station of Dirang, I visited some of their tribal settlements. And the most famous and easily accessible one is the Dirang Dzong.


The Dirang Dzong is a tribal area that is built on one side of the Dirang river and is just a couple of kilometres from the main Dirang market. In fact, it is on the road from Tezpur to Tawang.


The Dirang Dzong or locally known as the Dirang basti is just a normal rustic residential colony. But, the special thing about this tribal colony is its architecture.

 
Their stone and wooden houses are quite unique. They use the stone for foundation and the wooden structure for the roof and walls. Apparently, this method of building is quite efficient in handling the bitter cold weather of the Himalayas.


Further, they had a classic or should I say antique look about them that made me take notice of them. Their colours, the structure and the design were very interesting.

 
The Dirang Dzong is definitely worth a visit if you are planning a trip to Dirang in Western Arunachal Pradesh. The sight of these houses against the Eastern Himalayas and the Dirang river below is quite an interesting sight.

Continue Reading...

Sangti Valley–A Valley in Heaven!

Sangti valley is not well known to the outside world. In fact, very minimal tourist infrastructure exists here. But, in my mind, this is the place to be if you are looking at holidaying in a heavenly hill station.


Let me help you visualize Sangti Valley…Surrounded by the towering ranges of Eastern Himalayas, blessed with pleasant weather round the year with maybe some light snowfall in the winter months, covered with fruit orchards (kiwi fruit, apple, apricot, orange), dotted with pristine forests and meandering fast hill rivers and home to a very interesting culture and tradition.

 
And it is also home to the black necked cranes who come to the fields of this valley every winter. Sangti valley is situated about 15 kilometres from Dirang, which is on the Bomdila - Tawang highway of Western Arunachal Pradesh in North East India.

Continue Reading...

Monpa Tribal Women from Arunachal Pradesh

I was backpacking through the lovely valleys and hills of Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh when I spotted a group of local women walking along the side of the road. It looked like they were done with their daily quota of work and were heading home.


Their colourful attire, head gear and their smart way of carrying loads were the things that stood out.

 

It was only later did I find out these women were actually the local Monpa tribal women and were labourers in the neighbouring village.

Continue Reading...