The main attraction in Bomdila is the Buddhist monastery here which has preserved the culture. Bomdila is also the headquarters of West Kameng district situated at analtitude of 8500 feet.Themjor attractions for the tourists are its cool climate, artistic people, apple orchards, Buddhist Gompas and the snow-covered Himalayan peaks. This place has a craft centrewhch displays local crafts, a tourist lodge providing a place to stay and a shopping centre which is used by the visitors to gettheir first feel of the local variation of Buddhist life in the Himalyas.

The tourists can opt for local site seeing to the famous Sela Pass which is 13,700 ft. M.S.L. and the Dirang valley while going to Tawang. Then there is the Orchid Research and Development Station located at Tippi and two other Orchid conservation sanctuaries which are located at Dirang and Sessa, whichthe tourists will findworth visiting.

The origin of Bomdilagoes long back in time. It used to be a part of the kingdom of Tibet in the ancient times. The rulers from Bhutan and local tribal rulers mostly ruled it from time to time. The rulers ofAhom from Assam did not involve with the local tribes other than retaliatory raidsamong the tribal territory. This area of Arunachal Pradesh was declared as off limits by the British in 1873.This area has been a cause of disagreement between China and India since the time India got independence in 1947. In 1962China later invaded the area around Bomdila but after some time had to withdraw its troops from the region.

How To Reach Bomdila

Bomdila is approachable through air as well as land.

By Air

There are three weekly flights from Kolkata to the nearest airport at the town of Tezpur. The tourists can take taxis from the airport as well as the railway station.

By Train

To reach here by train, one has to take a train to the nearest railway station which is situated at the town of Tezpur. Thereare links to a few places as well. There are only a few trains available which makes this option less desirable.

By Bus

The nearest bus terminus is again at Tezpur and isapproachable from Kolkata and Guwahati. The cost of travel through buses isnot expensive and the prices differacross the different operators.

Places To Visit

The Orchid Research And Development Station

The Orchid Research and Development Station situated atTippi and the two other Orchid conservation sanctuaries situated at Dirang andSessa are recommended to the tourists as they will find the place worth.

Craft Centre And Ethnographic Museum

The Craft Centre is famous for the production of very fine exquisite and colourful ‘dragon designs’ carpets, masks and wall hangings which are calledBuddhist Tangkas. Another palce for the tourists to visit is the Ethnographic Museum.

Buddhist Monasteries

One of the must visit places in Bomdilaare the Gompas which are the Buddhist Monasteries.Theyhighlight a strong influence of Buddhist and Tibetan culture.

The Nature Around

Bomdila is also the headquarters of the district of West Kamengin the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Bomdila offers anawesome view of the panoramic Himalayan terrain with its snow-covered mountains. It is also known for its apple orchids throughwhich the tourists can walk through.

Weather And Best Time To Visit

The climate of Bomdilais thatlike alpine and the weatherremains pleasant for months. Summers are mostly mild which make it the best time for the tourists. The summersstartfrom the month of April and continuetill the month of June. The weatherisusually mild and the temperature rarely crosses beyond 32°C. This place gets rainfall all-round the year. The prevailing rainfall comes during the months from July to Septemberfrom the South West Monsoon.The winter season begins in the month of December and continues till the end of February.

The best time to vistBomdila in Arunachal Pradesh is between the months of March and October.

Language And Culture

The Buddhist monastery of Bomdila is the sitefor culture and is one of the primary attractions in the area.There are three monasteries, also called Gompas in Bomdila. The oldest among them is a little run down and is the home for the Blue Medicine Buddha on whichare the source of meditations for the healers. The GentseGadenRabgyel Ling Monastery, also called Upper Gompa, is main Gompawhich is up on a steep hill and has a school as well.The lastGompa, also called Lower Gompa is in the middle of the town and at the end of Bazaar Street.

Heavy woolenclothingfor winters and light woolenclothingfor summers are ideal. The people on the region speakSherdukpen, Monpa, Hindi, Assamese, Miji, Aka, and English.

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Accommodation

Bomdila Tourist Lodge

The Bomdila Tourist Lodge is situated near the DC office. The tourist lodge was inaugurated in 1969. It is about 420 km from the Guwahati airport. It has a total of 12 rooms and do not have air conditioners. There is also a restaurant in the lodge itself.

Address: Bomdila, West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh - 790001, India

La Hotel, Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh

The hotel is situated at anexcellentlocation. The rooms here are neat and clean and the food provided here is good. The tariff ranges fromRs 500 to 600.

Address: Bomdila, West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh - 790001, India

Festivals And Activities

The Bomdila monastery follows the Mahayana school of Buddhism and celebrates the different  festivalswhich are important in the life of the Buddhist.

Losar

Losar is the important festival and is celebrated to starta New Year in accordance to the Monapa calendar. The festival continues on for 15 days during which prayers are offered as well as hoisting of the prayer flags.

Torgya

Torgya is another importantfestival celebrated which is celebrated for three days during the eleventh month of the lunar calendar in order tomark the victory of good on the evil. DukpaTse-Shi is observed during the 6th month in accordance to the lunar calendar in the honour of the first sermon delivered by the Buddha.The LhababDuechen festival is celebrated to mark the reincarnation of the Lord Buddha in his Shakyamuni form and is celebrated on the ninth month of the calendar.

Saka Dawa

Saka Dawa is another festival which is celebratedduring the fourth month of the lunar calendar.It is celebrated as the day of Buddha's enlightenment.

Hikingand trekking are the major outdoor activities in Bomdila. There are a number of hikes and treks into the mountains begin at Bomdilawhichrange from the simple little walking trails to strenuous treks.The place is at the centre of hiking activitiesof the Kameng region.

Hotels

Shipyangpong, Hotel, Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh

Shipyangpong Hotel is situated acrossthe DC office atcentre point. The hotel started operatingfrom 1998. The hotel is around 420 km from the Guwahati airport
The hotel has around 28 rooms. The hotel has a restaurant to cater to the needs.

In-Room Facilities

Address: West Kameng Dist., Arunachal Pradesh - 790001, India

Shangrila, Hotel,Bomdila

The hotel is situated at a perfect location.The interior of the hotel is excellent as is the food. The tariff is aboutRs 300.

Address: Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh – 790001, India

Get Around

Bomdila is not a big place and walking is a convenient way to move around the town. A taxi can be hired to move to the Upper Gompa. Taxis are available at the Taxi Stand located next to the main market. The fare from Tezpur to Dirang is Rs 350

Get Out

Tawang

The town of Tawang is situated towards north of Bomdila.The journey from Bomdila towardsTawangpasses thefamous Sela Pass (4,300m) and some beautiful valleys of Dirang. Tawang is located at analtitude ofmore than 3,400 m above the sea level. It is renowned for the 400 year old Buddhist monastery, the origin of whichgoes back to the mid-17th century. Tawang is animportant Buddhist center situated in the northeast India.

Itanagar

This place is at a distance of 229km from Bomdila. Itanagaris the capital of Arunachal Pradesh.It is amesmerizing city that attracts you with its appeal and the ultramodern attitude. This city has the towering snow-capped peaks of Himalayan ranges in the North eastern side and the plains of River Brahmaputra in the southern side.

Shopping

Shopping in Bomdila is buying paintings Tibetan carpets,and the thangkas which are excellent souvenirs from the place. The crafts have complicated carvings and captivating themes and are quite unique.

Location Map

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