The vibrant 9th edition of Tawang festival 2023 will be celebrated from (8 – 10 November 2023) in Tawang hills Arunachal Pradesh, India. Tawang cultural festival is celebrated every year by the Tourism Department of Arunachal Pradesh, India with the help of local communities to promote culture and tourism of the state.
What is Tawang festival means ?
Tawang festival derives its name from ‘Tawang hill station’ (The Home of several tribes). The Tawang festival is the showcase of traditional and cultural events of many tribes, local lip-smacking food, dances, art exhibitions and the surroundings of charming hills. This year Tawang festival 2023 is scheduled to be held from 8 – 10th November 2023 at Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Tawang is defined as “Ta means Horse” and “Wang means Chosen” which describe ‘Tawang’ as “Chosen by Horse”. The festival is celebrated to promote the natural beauty and tourism of Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
How is Tawang Festival 2023 celebrated ?
The Tawang festival starts with the traditional religious ceremony called “Sebang” (in which the monks from the monastery go in rallies towards the Tawang festival spot). The Tawang festival also gives the experience of traditional values of Buddhists culture.
Tawang cultural festival is held with numerous attractions and exhibits the tradition of several tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. This festival showcases the sport competitions, traditional and tribal dances, Art & crafts of Tribes, concerts are also held, cultural and folk dances, music, mountain life, local food and cuisines and a lot more.
Main attractions of Tawang festival 2023 ?
- Mask dance and Yak dance, traditional monastic dances are so famous that they are worth traveling to experience.
- Aji-lhamu folk dance (of Monpa tribe) the enactment of the Tibetan version of Ramayana.
- The powerful demon dance ‘The Keng Cham’ (defeat of evil).
- The local markets and roads are illuminated with lights and decorations.
- You will find many food stalls with many famous local cuisines.
- Enjoy the local traditional and cultural tribal dances.
- Art and crafts, exhibitions and many local sport competitions are also held during the festival which you can also participate in.
- Many unseen Traditional rituals, street performances and concerts, live music, bands.
- Traditional Buddhist religious functions and parades are held, historical movies are worth watching.
- The thing which attracts the most is the tranquility of Prayer Flags hanging.
- ‘Village tours’ for the visitors which promote “adopting the mechanism of self sustenance”
- Traditional harvesting ritual of Monpa tribe ‘Chor Khor Kora’.
Why is this festival celebrated at Tawang ?
Tawang town is famous for its beautiful mountains, greenery, waterfall, lakes which have become so famous for the tourists spot as Tawang hill station. This Tawang hill station is situated at a height of 3500 ft from the sea level surrounded by many great mountain ranges like Gudpi and Chong Chugmi which also are beautiful tourist destinations. To promote the tourism and culture of the state this festival is organized by the Tourism Department of Arunachal Pradesh.
History of Tawang Festival
The Tawang festival started in 2012 at the Tawang hill station which is known for the homeland of many different tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, India. But the major tribal community here is Monpas. The Tawang festival is celebrated at Tawang Monastery (which was founded in 1681 by the Merak Lama Lorde Gyatso). Tawang monastery is the India’s largest and oldest monastery and the real name of this monastery is “Gaden Namgyal Lhatse“.
Places to visit [Tourist Attractions] in Tawang
- Bum La pass (located around 52 kms from Tawang), Sela pass (around 72 kms from Tawang) the roads may not be well, but the scenic beauty covered with fog, mist is truly mesmerizing.
- Gorichen peak (Sa-Nga Phu or Kingdom of Deity), The highest peak in Arunachal Pradesh famous for natural sceneries, trekking).
- Nuranang falls (Bong Bong falls), Jang waterfalls, known for their rainbow effect.
- Madhuri lake, P.T.Tso lake (Penga Teng Tso lake) and many more, locals say there are a total 108 lakes all over the district.
- Tawang monastery and many more.
You will be overwhelmed by the environment and the charming beauty of the surrounding hills and Tawang town of Arunachal Pradesh. And many more things which makes the Tawang hill station of Arunachal Pradesh a must visit place.
How to reach the Tawang Festival ?
Tawang festival is celebrated at Tawang Monastery in the town Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The serene beauty and surroundings of Tawang hills will make you say ‘awe wow’ and make you so relaxed in the lap of nature.
By Air : The nearest airport is Tezpur Airport (or Salonibari Airport) in Tezpur, Assam which is located around 317 Km from Tawang. The second one is Itanagar Airport which is around 430 km from Tawang. And the other airport is Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport which is around 445 km from Tawang and connected to all major cities.
By Road : The nearest city to Tawang is Guwahati which is around 156 km which is well connected by road with many major cities. There are many buses, taxis run by the public transport which you can take and easily reach to the destination.
By Train : The nearest railway station is Tezpur Railway Station Assam which is around 334 Km from Tawang. The second railway station is Rangapara Railway Station, Thakurbari, Assam which is around 383 Km from Tawang. Once you reach the station you need a taxi, you can hire it or talk to hotels they will arrange to reach the Tawang.
FAQs
When is Tawang festival 2023 date ?
The most vibrant Tawang festival is scheduled to be held from 8 – 10 November 2023 at Tawang town, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
What are the famous dances of Arunachal Pradesh ?
Popular folk dances of Arunachal Pradesh are : Aji Lhamu, Roppi, Hurkani, Ponung, Lion and Peacock dance, Hurkani, Buiya, Chalo, Rekham Pada, Popir and Wancho.
What are the famous foods and drinks of Arunachal Pradesh ?
Boiled rice cakes, Thupkas or Thukpas, meat & moms are the traditional dishes devoured by people. And also other delicacies served like ‘Chura Sabzi’, Pika Pila, Pehak, Lukter, Ngatok, Guguni, Bamboo shoot, Po Cha.
Various forms of Rice beers are prepared by local communities like ‘Apo or Apong’, Marua and whiskeys are so famous.
What are the famous monuments of Arunachal Pradesh ?
Tawang Buddhist Monastery, The Golden Pagoda, JaswantGarh War Memorial Tawang, World War II Cemetery Changlang, Gompa Temple, Ita fort are the famous monuments of Arunachal Pradesh. There are many other monuments which also are famous locally.
Which Language is spoken in Arunachal Pradesh ?
There are 28 major tribes and around 50 distinct languages spoken like Nyishi, Dafla, Mohpa, Nocte, Nagamese and many more. But people mostly speak Hindi, English, also Tibetan language here.
How to get permit though online to travel Tawang or West Kameng?
Arunachal Pradesh falls under restricted area, official permission is required to enter the state. Therefore, visitors required ILP (Inner Line Permit) to enter Arunachal Pradesh. ILPs are issued by the Secretary (Political), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Deputy Commissioner and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Districts. Also can be obtained from Resident Commissioner’s Office or Deputy and Liaison Offices. Yes, Online ILP can be obtained from official website of Arunachal Pradesh. Check Here : https://arunachalilp.com/
What is the maximum & minimum Temperature of Tawang ?
The winters of Tawang hilly region are very cold, sometime temperature drops near freezing point. The maximum temperature during winters is around 10°C and the minimum temperature is around 2°C. And Bum-La Pass & Sela Pass temperature can drop even 1°C. The winter’s coldest month is of Januray.
What are the things should carry in month of October / November for Tawang ?
In October temperature of Tawang is cold around 15 – 18°C in day and in night falls upto 4-5°C, but if you go up on more hilly side, temperature falls, there will be snow fall and may be suddenly starts rain. Things to carry : Rain boots, rain pants, umbrella, waterproof bag, first aid kit, vaccine card protector, bacteria filter water bottle, global SIM card, travel insurance, travel pillow, jackets, 2-3 layers of clothes, power banks for devices, extra socks, sport shoes, tents.
What types of vehicle travel to Tawang ?
You can travel to Twang in any taxi, but there are further Sumos, Thar are available on rentals or taxi bases which will take you to the tour of Tawang and other parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
How many liquor bottles can a tourist carry to Tawang ?
As per guidelines, an individual can carry 2 bottles during the journey to India. But there are plenty of shops here where you will get liquor in cheap prices.