Arunachal Pradesh As A State
The largest state of northeast, Arunachal Pradesh is a serene land tucked into the north eastern tip of India. It is bordered by Assam in the south and Nagaland in the south east. Myanmar forms the eastern boundary whereas Bhutan occupies the part west of the state. To its north lies the Mc Mohan Line separating it from the People's Republic of China. Itanagar is the state capital.

For tourists coming to Arunachal Pradesh, natural beauty in form of thick evergreen forests, spectacular valleys, snowclad mountains, meandering rivers, exotic variety of flora and fauna are the major draw. Apart from this the rich tribal culture of the state and opportunities to enjoy adventure sports are additional attractions. However, there is a bit of entry restriction for foreign tourists. They need to fulfil certain formalities and obtain a permit from an Indian mission abroad or office of the ministry of home affairs, Govt of India, New Delhi in order to enjoy stay in the state. Indian residents too require to obtain an Inner Line Permit from Resident/Deputy Resident Commissioner/Liason office at New Delhi.


Significance of Buddhism in Arunachal Pradesh
Around 13 percent of the population (which is 1,091,117) of Arunachal Pradesh follows Buddhism. The Buddhist population of the state resides in the region Tawang, West Kameng, remote regions in close vicinity of Tibet and near the Burma border. Tibetan Buddhism is practised in the first three region while Therevada Buddhism guides the life of people living near the Burmese border.


Major Buddhist Places in Arunachal Pradesh

• Tawang :Tawang is home to the Monpa tribes who are the one of the most important followers of Tibetan Buddhism in the state. The name Tawang traces its origin from the surroundings, however, the people believe that the name was given by Mera Lama in the 17th century. The district is home to two of the most important Buddhist monasteries of the state along with a number of nunneries.
  
  
  
• Bomdila : Not very far off from Tawang is Bomdila, the district headquarters of West Kameng. Situated amidst apple orchards and lush forests, the place is home to the Monpa and Sherdukpen tribe. Both of these are the follower of the Tibetan Buddhism. There are few pretty gompas in this place too along with a craft centre that has a gamut of hand woven carpets woven by indigenous Monpa tribals.
  

Major Buddhist Monuments

• Tawang Monastery : The most famous monastery of Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang Monastery is believed to be around 400 years old. It was established by Mera Lama, a contemporary of the fifth Dalai Lama and and has stunning mountains in its background which seems to stand to protect it. The monastery houses around 500 Lamas in its 65 residential buildings. The highlight of the monastery is the eight metre tall gilded image of Buddha in the sanctum. Other attractions of the monastery include the great rotating prayer wheels and invaluable thankas. The monastery also has a museum and a library attached to it. The museum exhibits rare thankas and ritual vessels amongst various other items while the library safeguards important manuscripts, scriptures and literature. The Tawang Monastery is known as 'Galden Namgyal Lhatse' by the local people.
  
  
• Urgelling Monastery : Standing 5 km south of the Tawang town is yet another important monastery of Arunachal Pradesh, the Urgelling Monastery. Believed to be constructed prior to 1489 AD by Urgen Sangpo, the youngest brother of Terton Pempalingpa, the monastery's significance lies in it being the birth place of the sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso (1683 AD). The monastery preserves his footprints and fingerprints which are highly significant for the Buddhist.
  
  
• Bomdila Monastery : Established by twelfth reincarnate of the Tsona Gontse Rinpoche in 1965, the Bomdila Monastery shelters the lamas and the monks of the west Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The monks and lamas of this monastery are a follower of the Mahayana Buddhism. The monastery has a prayer hall, a temple of Buddha and residential quarters for the monks. The monks here are imparted lessons on monastic life and tradition apart from prayers and tantrayana practices.
  
  
• Tatsang Monastery : At a distance of 45 km from the town of Tawang, the Tatsang Monastery is believed to be visited by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century. The monastery is also known as the Tiger's Den.
  
  
  
• Nunneries of Tawang : The nunneries of Tawang, known as Ani Gompa are also significant for Buddhist pilgrims in Arunachal Pradesh. These are the places where girls become nuns on a voluntary basis, i.e., without any compulsion of following a social tradition. The oldest one amongst these, the Brama dung- chung Ani Gompa was commissioned by Karchen Yeshi Gelek in 1595. Located around 12 km from the town of Tawang, it is an abode to about 45 nuns. The Gyangong Ani Gompa and the Singsur Ani Gompa are two other important nunneries at a distance of 5 km and 28 km from Tawang respectively. The first one of the two houses around 50 nuns while the second one shelters 45 nuns.
  
  

Other Attractions of Arunachal Pradesh

• Itanagar : The capital city and also the biggest town of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar has the Jawaharlal Nehru Museum, Ita Fort and Ganga Lake as its major attractions. Also, known as the land of dawnlit mountains, Itanagar has been identified as Mayapuri, a city that existed in the 14th and the 15th century AD.
  
  
• Ziro : Situated on the Apatani plateau around 200 km away from Itanagar is the beautiful Ziro. The place is highly attractive beacuse of its delightful landscape and tribal culture. Tourists make it a point to visit the Apatani tribal home to get a first hand feel of the life led by these people. Also visited quiet frequently are the high altitude fishing farm, the famous whispering pine grove and the craft centre. It is the district headquarters of the upper Subansiri.
  
  
• Pasighat : The district headquarter of East Siang, Pasighat is the oldest town in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is the home of Adi tribals who are famous for their Ponung dance. Worth visiting sites in and around Pasighat include the daying Ering Wildlife sanctuary (13 km), the archaeological site of Malinithan (100 km) and the sacred place of Akashiganga (100 km).
  
  
• Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary : The Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary is located few km away from the Miao in Changlang district. One of the most significant wildlife sanctuaries of India, Namdapha shelters all four cats - tigers, leopards, snow leopard and clouded leopard. Other residents of the state include takin, hoolock gibbon, red panda, and capped langur. There are around 150 species of trees in the forest of Namdapha along with abundant medicinal and ornamental plant life.

Climate
Due to its varying altitude, climate in Arunachal Pradesh differs from place to place. At the higher elevation in the upper Himalayas, specially those that are near Tibet, people enjoy an alpine climate. People residing in the Middle Himalayas experience temperate climate while those at sub Himalayan and sea elevation level face a humid sub tropical climate with hot summers and mild winters.