Itanagar Travel Guide
This capital of the state of Arunachal Pradesh, actually comprises of
twin towns of Naharlagan – the older town formed in 1973 and the
Itanagar – the official capital which came up later. The twin towns
present a very picturesque aspect and provides a perfect blend of the
old and modern. Some of the important sightseeing places of this place
are : the Buddhist Temple – a beautiful shrine and has a tree
planted by His Holiness Dalai Lama close by and the State Museum which
exhibits the history and culture of Arunachal Pradesh.
The capital is known as a place of dawn lit mountains and all around
the place are earthquake-proof, wood frame buildings rising up the
slopes of a green hill. The Buddhist temples are seen from long
distances. Traditional huts are scattered amongst the more recent
constructions, thus giving a modern look to the traditional
architecture. Itanagar has been identified with the ancient city of
Mayapuri of the Jitri dynasty of the 11th century A.D.The best way to
spend time in Itanagar is to bathe in its natural sunlit beauty. It's
wide open vistas, valleys full of flowers and trees and boating and
angling on the rivers are the some of the best ways to enjoy the town of
Itanagar.
Getting There:
By Air
The nearest airport to Itanagar, at Lilabari in Assam, 67-km away, and
served by connecting buses, is served by fights to and from Guwahati (2
hr 20min) and to, but not from Dibrugarh (45 min). There is also a trice
weekly Pawan Hans helicopter service between Itanagar and Guwahati.
By Rail
Fast passenger trains from Guwahati run as far as Harmuti, 33-km away
in Assam.
By Road
Overnight buses connect Itanagar with Guwahati (11 hr), and Arunachal
State Transport run an extensive service throughout the state. Buses
leave for Tinsukia in the evening, arriving early the following morning,
and from there connections can be made to Namdapha and Parashuramkunda.
Tourist Attractions:
Itafort:
Here one can find historical fort called Itafort, dating back to the
14-15 centuries, after which it is named. The capital houses the
Rajbhawan , the official residence of the Governor has also many worth
visiting places in and around Itanagar.
Ganga Lake:
These include legendary Ganga Lake (Gyakar Sinyi). It is a beautiful
picnic spot, 6 kms away from Itanagar, a green forest lake surrounded by
primeval vegetation, orchids masses on tall trees, tree ferns provides a
small taste of the magnificent forests of the state.
Tawang
A 10 km drive from Bomdils takes you to Tawang a Buddhist pilgrimage
site where the Dalai Lama the spiritual leader of the tibetans goes to
preach and pray. The most striking building in this buddhist village is
the tall central monastery the Tawang Gompa.
Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum
Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum provides a kaleidoscope of Arunachal
Pradesh and one can see woodcarvings, musical instruments, textiles,
handicrafts and archeological finds, while a workshop in the Handicrafts
Centre specializes in traditional cane manufacture. It has a library
section also. Timing: Tuesday To Saturday - 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.
