Heritage

Malinithan :

Malinithan in the foothills of Siang district is a very rich archaeological site. Numerous relics unearthed from the site have great historical value and significance. It may be safely concluded that Malinithan was cultural cynosure of India in the Northeast in the remote past.

In the early twenties, this site was first visited by WH Calvert, the then Assttpolitical officer of Pasighat. The relics at Malinithan give definite evidence of contact between various peoples, of the contributions of architects, sculptors and masons who came to Arunachal and Assam from time to time from the neighboring states of the country. Malinithan is a monument to the great synthesis of cultures and a link that connected Arunachal with the mixed culture that emerged from this synthesis.

Bhismaknagar :

The fort and palace at Bhismaknagar in Dibang valley is said to have belonged to the mythical king Bhismak. Excavations have yielded the relics of two gates and the base of a palace.

Parasuram Kund :

Arunachal Pradesh is best known for a lake near Tezu called "Parasuram Kund". This place is a holy place for people on the day of "Makar Sankranti" observed in mid January, when pilgrims in exodus come to the fair and take a dip in the holy water. Parasuram Kund nestled in the lower reaches of Lohit River in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh has been regarded as holy place for Hindu devotees. Every year in the month of January, (Usually January 14), the devotees or Pilgrims from aboard and country thronged to the Kund to take a holy dip in the river, and has its own importance.

Tawang :

Heart of the city is the "Tawang Gompa". This is a breath taking, marvelous place in the far northwest of Arunachal. Located in a superb area at 3400m near the borders of Bhutan, the monastery is one of the largest kinds in India. From the middle of the17th century it was known as the most important monastery of northeast India. The Gompas here include an interesting collection of "Thangkas" (Tibetan painting on cloth) and a large gilded statue of "Sakyamuni" (historical Buddha), about 5.5m high in the prayer hall. There are also numerous sculptures while the library contains valuable manuscripts of the scriptures. There is a handicraft centre with beautiful hand made items made locally.

Itanagar :

Itanagar, the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh is a new city with a cross section of Arunachali people. As early as the 11th century, it was called by the name "Mayapur" under the Jitri Dynasty. The forts in the city date back to the 14th or 15th centuries, They were built by King Ram Chandra and bear testimony to its history. Itanagar being an earthquake prone state, has new earthquake proof wooden framed buildings along with the traditional huts on the slope of the hill. Modern houses too, can be seen scattered in between.

Important place of visit is situated at a distance of 6 km from Itanagar, called "Ganga Lake", which is short but a very steep tract. The adjoining areas also portray a beautiful sight.

Itafort :

Itafort in subansiri, where the capital of Arunachal Pradesh is now located, is a monument of significance. There are many legends connected with the foundation of the fort; but no definite conclusion could be arrived at about the actual author of the fort.

Besides the above mentioned monuments, some other important Kameng, the Buddhist Vihara at Chowkham, Padum Pukhuri, near roing Gohain Kamal Ali, Tamreswari Temple , the Sivalinga near Paya , Vigaynagar stupa etc..

From the available accounts and field researches undertaken so far, it may be said that two archaeological phases can be identified in Arunachal Pradesh, namely (i)Prehistorical from the stone artifacts collected from time to time, and (ii)Historical (medieval) from the historical relics.

Other important places :

The Capital which houses the Raj Bhavan (the official residence of the Governor) has also other visiting places in and around Itanagar. These include the legendary Ganga lake (Gyekar Sinyi), Zoological Park (Chimpu), Buddhist Gompa, Donyi-polo Vidya Bhawan a Premier Public School, North-eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology(Nirjuli), Jawaharlal Nehru State museum(Itanagar) , Ragiv Gandhi Univesity(Doimukh),government piggery and poultry and government Fish Farm Emchi(Doimukh).

Bomdila, the H.Q. of west Kameng district located at the height of 8,500 ft has a lot of attraction for the tourist with it’s cool climate , apple-orchards, artistic people, snow capped Himaliyan peaks and Buddhist Gompas.

Local site seeing is Dirang valley and the famous Selepass (13,700 ft above sea level) are thrilling experiences on way to Tawang. The Orchid Research And Development Station and Orchidorium at Tippi and Two other Orchid conservation sanctuaries located Sessa and Dirang are worth.

Ziro, the H.Q, of Lower Subansiri district at and altitude above 5000 ft is a pine-clad plateau of scenic grandeur. It is famous for the vast Apatani plateau and it’s fish-cum paddy culture. A number of important developmental projects which includes high altitude fish-seed farm and Ranga Nadi Hydral Project (NEEPCO) are located in and around ziro. This is a five hours drive from the state capital Itanagar.

Aalo, the district H.Q. of west siang district lies on the bank of siyom river offers and attractive tourist place.On way to aalo one can see the historical Malimithan temple, the Legendary Aakashi Ganga, a point from which one gets an unusal over view of the Brahmaputra and it’s tributaries

Siyom river also provides an excellent fishing ground.

Tezu, the H.Q. of Lohit district is growing town famous for it’s scenic beauty. Thousands of pilgrims visit this place on way to Parshuram Kund (located 13 miles North-east of Teju).Every year Parashuram Kund Mela is held in month of January.

Namdapha, Located in changlang district ,is famous for it’s wildlife National Park. There are a large number of trigers and elephants in it and the white winged wood duck , rare and endangered species, has been sheltered in the park.

Arunachal Pradesh finds mention in the literature of Kalika Purana and Mahabharat. This place is the Prabhu Mountains of the Purans. It was here that sage Parshuram atoned of his sin , sage Vyssa meditated, King Bhismaka founded his kingdom and Lord Krishna married his Consort Rukmini.

The widely scattered archaeological remains at different places in Arunachal Pradesh bear testimony to its rich cultural heritage.

In Arunachal’s rich and colorful flora and fauna or kits find the place of pride. Out of about thousand species of orchids in India, Over 500 are found in Arunachal Pradesh alone. These are colorful , spectacular and some bear exotic name such as Sita-Pushpa and Draupadi-Pushpa which were belived to have been worn by Sita and Draupadi for ornamentation.

Some of the orchids are rare and classified as endangered. Arunachal Pradesh forest development has established and Orchid Research and Development Station at Tippi in West Kameng district. For propagation and conservation of these species. This center has establish a laboratory for orchids seed and tissue culture for this purpose.

The wild life of Arunachal is equally rich and varied. Elephants and Tiger, especially in the gracy foothills and leopard and jungle cat quite common.The white browet Gibbon been is found in Tirap and Lohit districts and red pandas and musk deer in the high ranges.

The ‘Mithun’(Bos Frontails), exits both in wild and semi domesticated form. This animal has a religious significance and has intimate relation with socio-cultural life of the people. Traditionally, Mithun is a unit of wealth and is allowed to freely in the jungle till it is either use for food or festive occasion and marriage fest or for barter.

Arunachal Pradesh is also the happy home of the great Indian Hornbill-the extraordinary bird with an inordinately large beak.

Four wild-life sanctuaries at Pakhui, Itanagar Lali and Namdappa had been setup in 1979 covering and area of 3000 sp. Kms.

The Miao wild-life sanctuary was established in the sixth plan and Namdappa sanctuary was upgraded to the status of a national park in 1986.

Arunachal is also richly and endowed with mineral resources such as dolomite , graphie , limestone, coal, marble , oil and natural gases.

Survey has revealed encouraging results of the existence of coal and oil in Chanlang district.