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.
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.
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.
