Tawang district

Tawang district is located in north-western in. The claims sovereignty over the area as part of  in , while India claims it as part of the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Geography and Administration
Tawang borders the between  and  on disputed Indian-administered territory, as part of. From 's point of view, it is considered as part of the Cona County of China-administered. It also shares another international border with, and a district border with. In winter, Tawang frequently experiences heavy snowfall.

It roughly lies around the latitude 27 º 45’ N and the longitude 90º 15’ E on the Northwest extremity of. 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 administered by the current MP, Shri. Tawang district is further sub-divided into the Lumla, Jang and Tawang sub-divisions. The district itself has 3 principal monasteries as well.

People
A sizeable population of 20,000 live in the Tawang town. The dominant ethnic group are the, who inhabit 162 out of 163 villages. The Tibetan Bhotias are also found in small scattered numbers throughout Tawang, but their main concentration is in the village of Shyo, which houses about 90 Tibetan families. The, a small tribal group, are found in small, scattered numbers in the West and the North. .

Most of the people, which includes the Monpa, Takpa and the Tibetans, are by religion. Pre-Buddhist and  influence is also evident. Festivals that include, 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 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 people, who reigned the Mon kingdom that stretches from Tawang right up to. The Mon kingdom was later absorbed into the control of neighbouring and.

The Tawang monastery was founded by the Merak Lama in 1681 in accordance to the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Nagwang Lobsang Gyatso, and has an interesting legend surrounding its name, which means "Chosen by Horse". The sixth Dalai Lama,, was born in Tawang. Tawang then came under direct control from Tibet until February 12, 1951, when Major R Khating led Indian Army troops to relocate Chinese squatters, and India assumed sovereignty the territory and established democratic rule therein. . The Tibetans had been very oppressive towards the Monpa under their rule.

After India severed Tawang off from, it was not until 1962 when Chinese troops occupied Tawang during the , destroying portions of the monastery. The valiant last stand of awardee  took place in Tawang. After the voluntary withdrawal of Chinese troops, Tawang was once again under the control of India.

The Tawang district broke off from the district in 1984. In recent years, China has occasionally voiced its claims on Arunachal Pradesh, especially Tawang. According to one news report, the state government was willing to swap territories with China in order to make border adjustments, but it firmly refused to lose out any territories to China.

Today, Tawang serves as a center for tourist attractions, thanks to the preserved beauty of the Tawang monastery.

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 sect is the largest  monastery in. 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 s. 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.

Unfortunately, deposed the sixth Dalai Lama in 1706 and sent an army in 1714 to invade  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 - with renovation meaning that the traditionally built structure was torn down and then rebuilt with concrete.

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.

Sela Top Pass, just adjacent to Tawang rises steeply and is full of snow for most of the year.

Images

 * Images of Tawang by rathorems100
 * Images of Arunachal Pradesh (and Tawang) by manish2905
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