Hidden between the lofty blue hills of the north-eastern himalayan ranges of India in the state of Arunachal Pradesh is this amazing place of Bomdila. The breathtakingly beautiful place is located at a height of 8000 feet and remains snow-clad for most part of the year. A chilling cold breeze blows in this alpine region for almost the entire day and the nights are equally unrelenting. The heat of the burning charcoal also cannot prevent the chilling nights even though we were in thermals and cotswools.
The journey to Bomdila is quite as exciting as the town itself. The roaring Kameng River rushes down the mountains, providing some splendid views. Winding past gentle, wooded slopes and the fragrance of pine hanging heavily in the air, the landscape changes dramatically as gnarled gorges give way to plains that undulate into hills.
The origin of Bomdila is lost in time. It was a part of the kingdom of Tibet in medieval times. The Chinese tried to stake claim in the 1960’s but backed-off. The town has lots of Buddhist monasteries or gompas and the famous of them is the Bomdila Monastery or the Gentse Gaden Rabgyel Ling Monastery, built by Tsona Gontse Rinpoche in 1965.
People here are mainly from the Monpa tribe and very simple in nature. Their main festival here is Losar celebrated generally in the month of February-March. Bomdila, like other towns in the area, has a strong Buddhist and Tibetan influence and has quaint little eating-places where you can savour traditional Tibetan cuisine and the mouth-watering- momos and thookpas.
The Craft Centre at Bomdila turns out a range of exquisitely designed dragon carpets and the traditional thangka wall hangings, paintings and masks are also available here. Most of these are intricately crafted with minute details and varied themes. Other places of interests of Bomdila include the district museum, and the sports complex.
Bomdila itself is tiny, but it is spread over a wide ridge that straddles a mountain. There is a panoramic view of the Himalayas and its frosty peaks and the pretty Kameng valley with its orchards. The town is surrounded by lush apple orchards that stretch far and wide, adding to the scenic beauty of the place. The place also has numerous trekking trails that attracts lots of adventure seekers.
For viewing the blue hills with clouds on perches of mountain slopes, this is truly the door to paradise…
For a detailed guide/itinerary, please visit here
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