State of the Rising Sun: Arunachal Pradesh

Among the states in the North East, Arunachal Pradesh lies at the eastern end of the political boundary of India. You can say that this is the state of the country that greets the rising sun before anyone else! As is the geographical location, this state shares boundaries with three countries, namely Myanmar, Bhutan and China. There is simmering tension along the border with China once in a while but that has not dented the state’s reputation as a prime tourist attraction for tourists coming in from Europe and USA, and globally in general.

Among the tourist destinations that are unique to Arunachal Pradesh, you have to name the Parashuran Kund. This is a holy place here, located in the lower shores of the Lohit river. Kund means a pond or a lake and Parashuram is another name for Lord Shiva, a Hindu God. Devotees across the world visit the Parashuram Kund during the Indian Harvest Festival or the Makar Sankranti. The scenic beauty of the place, coupled with the wonderful natural ambiance of it, makes it a must-visit on a tourist’s map of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Namdapha National Park, a tiger reserve, holds a pride of place in the world as one of the last remaining evergreen forests. It is perched between the Patkai Mountains, a range bringing up the eastern flank of the Himalayas and the country of Myanmar. Two rivers, Namdapha and Noa-dihing, supply the water to this tiger reserve, along with several small streams. The diversity of the flora and fauna in this place is quite staggering, inviting the academic and tourism interests of people globally. This is also home to tribes like Tangsa, Lisu and Singpho.

Next up is Pasighat, situated on the banks of the Siang river, a tributary of the humongous river Brahmaputra. You will get a view of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains from this place, along with a rich and diverse flora and fauna. The diversity of the land attracts the attention of explorers and adventure lovers. As is the case with other destinations in the North East, Pasighat is also home to tribals who are as part of the landscape and the beauty of the place as the scenic Himalayas.

Arunachal Pradesh is a beautiful place for a relaxing and invigorating time.