Tawang Monastry
Hoolock Gibbon
The Monpas and Sherdukpens of Tawang and West Kameng district follow the lamaistic traditions of Mahayana Buddhism. Culturally similar to them are Membas and Khambas who live in the high mountains of the northern borders. Khamtis and Singphos inhabiting the eastern part of the State are Buddhist of Hinayan Sect.
The second group of people are Adis, Akas, Apatanis, Bungnis, Nishis, Mishimis, Mijis, Thangsos etc. who worship the Sun and the Moon namely Donyi Polo and Abotani. Their religious rituals largely coincide with the phases or agricultural cycles.
Arunachal finds mention in the literature of Kalika Purana and Mahabharata. This place is supposed to be the Prabhu Mountains of the Puranas. It was here that the sage Parashuram washed away his sins, sage Vyasa meditated, king Bhismaka founded his kingdom and lord Krishna married his consort Rukmini.
The third group comprises of Noctes and Wangchos, adjoining Nagaland in the Tirap district who are known for their structured village society in which the hereditary village chief still plays a vital role. The people of Arunachal Pradesh have a tradition of artistic craftsmanship and sense of aesthetics manifested through a variety of crafts like weaving, painting, basket making, woodcarving etc. Festivals are an essential part of the socio-cultural life of the people and these festivals are usually connected with agriculture to thank god or to pray for bumper harvest. Some of the important festivals are Mopin and Solung of Adis, Lossar of Monpas, Sherdukpens and Boori-Boot of the Hill Miris, Dree of the Apatanis, Sidonyi of Tagin, Nyokum of Nishis, Reh of Idu Mishmis etc.
FLORA AND FAUNA
Out of about a thousand species of orchids in India, over 500 are found in Arunachal alone. These are colourful, spectacular and some bear exotic names such as Sita-Pushpa and Draupadi-Pushpa believed to have been worn by Sita and Draupadi. Some of the orchids are rare and classified as endangered. Arunachal Pradesh Forest Development Corporation has established an Orchid Research and Development Station at Tipi in West Kameng district for propagation and conservation of these species. In addition to Orchidarium at Tipi, two orchid conservation sanctuaries have been established at Sessa and Dirang respectively. The wildlife is equally rich and varied. Elephants and Tigers abound, especially in the grassy foothills and leopard and jungle cats are quite common. The white gibbon is found in Tirap and Lohit district and red pandas and musk in the higher ranges. The 'Mithun' (Bos Forntails) exists both in wild and semi domesticated form. Traditionally, the Mithun has been a unit of wealth and is allowed to move freely in the jungle till it is either used for food on festive occasions, marriage or for barter. Birds found in the state are the great Indian Hornbill, Wood Duck, Green Pigeon etc.
ENTRY FORMALITIES :
FOREIGN TOURISTS : All foreign tourists intending to visit Arunachal Pradesh require Restricted Area Permits. These permits can be obtained from Indian Missions abroad, Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) at New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata (Calcutta), Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi and Home Commissioner, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar for a period of ten days for a group of four or more persons. Foreign tourists visiting Arunachal Pradesh on their own arrangement are required to pay US$ 50.00 per head to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
