Tawang district
| Capital | Tawang |
| Area | 2,085 sq km |
| Population | 34,705 |
| Population Density | 16/km² |
| Literacy | 41.45% |
| Urbanization | n/a |
The Tawang district is located at the north-west of the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India. The sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, was born in Tawang.
Geography and Administration
Tawang borders the Line of Actual Control between India and China on disputed Indian-administered territory, as part of Arunachal Pradesh. From China's point of view it is considered as part of the Cona County of the Tibet Autonomous Region. It also shares another international border with Bhutan, and a district border with West Kameng.
It roughly lies between the latitude 27 º 45’ N and the longitude 90º 15’ E on the Northwest extremity of Arunachal Pradesh. Elevations range between 6,000 to 22,000 feet, and inhabitants are found in lower altitude, where they enjoy a cool temperate climate.
The district is administer by the current MP, Shri Jorbom Gamlin. Tawang district is further sub-divided into the Lumla, Jang and Tawang sub-dividsions. The district itself has 3 principal monasteries as well.
People
Most of the people, which includes the Monpa, Takpa and the Tibetans, are Tibetan Buddhist by religion. Pre-Buddhist Bön and Shamanist influence is also evident. Festivals that include Losar, Choskar, Torgya and Ajilamu are held annually. The Dungyur is also celebrated in every three years of the Torgya. Both the Dungyur and Torgya festivals are celebrated at the premises of the Tawang Monastery with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm.
Economy
Most of the tribes depend on agriculture for a living. Owing to its cold weather, farmers breed yak and sheep herds, although in lower altitudes crops are planted as well.
History
Prior to the construction of the Tawang monastery, Tawang was traditionally inhabited by the Monpa people, who reigned the Mon kingdom that streches from Tawang right up to Sikkim. The Mon kingdom was later absorbed into the control of neighbouring Bhutan and Tibet.
The Tawang monastery was founded by the Merak lama Lodre Gyatso in 1681 in accordance to the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Nagwang Lobsang Gyatso, the monastery has an interesting legend surrounding its name, which means chosen by horse. Tawang then came under direct control from Tibet until the 1947.
The independence of India from Britain severed Tawang off from Tibet, and it was not until in 1962 when the Chinese troops conquered Tawang, destroying portions of the monastery. For six months it was controlled by the Chinese nationalist troops. After the retreat of the Chinese troops, Tawang was once again under the control of India.
The Tawang district broke off from the West Kameng district in 1984. Today, Tawang served as a center of Tourist attraction, thanks to the reserved beauty of the Tawang monastery.
Attractions
Tawang Monastery
Founded by the Mera Lama Lodre Gyasto in accordance to the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Nagwang Lobsang Gyatso, The Tawang monastery of the Gelugpa sect is the largest Buddhist monastery in India. The name Tawang means Chosen Horse. It is also known in another Tibetan name known as Galden Namgey Lhatse, which means a true name within a celestial paradise in a clear night.
Located at an elevation of 10,000 feet (3,300m) in the district capital, Tawang, it is home to more than 600 Lamas. It has also a houses the Parkhang library. A collection of the 400-year-old Kangyurs which consists of 110 volumes with 400-500 pages in each bundle in addition to invaluable manuscripts. The lamas would get ready on ceremonial occasions for their dances and prayers. Dances and ceremonial celebrations are held in the courtyard, the most important of which is held on the night of Buddha Purnima. Other large collections include the Sutras, Tangym, Sungbhum, old books and other manuscripts, both handwritten and printed, many of them in gold. The collection has a total of 850 bundles.
It also houses a small printing press, which is meant for printing books to literate monks for religious services and their own education. The most fascinaing part is or the assembly hall - a three-storied building housing the temple and the 8.3-m high Golden Buddha.
Unfortunately, Ligdan Khan deposed the sixth Dalai Lama in 1706 and sent an army in 1714 to invade Bhutan from Tawang. During the campaign, they destroyed the Dalai Lama's restored and enlarged monastery at Urgelling as an attempt to obliterate his memorials.
The Tawang monastery is 3 storey high and occupies an area of 140 square metres and houses 65 residential buildings in addition to the library. It is renovated in 1997 by the Dalai Lama.
Other attractions
In addition to the Tawang monastery, the town has a Handicrafts Center, which was started to promote the small-scale industries for local handicrafts. The center has a fine range of woolen carpets and shawls amongst other things. People may also purchase rather inexpensive but good chubbas and shoes.