Tawang

Tawang Monastery is the second biggest and oldest in Asia and the largest in India. Known as Tawang Ganden Namgyal Lhatse i.e., the celestial paradise of divine site chosen by the horse was founded by Merag Lodroe Gyamtso  in the year 1680 – 81. It is situated amidst picturesque landscape. Followers of Buddhism attach high importance to Tawang Monastery, as it is a centre where young Buddhist monks learn about the essence of Buddhist culture . The Dalai Lama gave him a painting of goddess Palden Lhamo to be kept in the monastery. The 8 m high glided statue of Lord Buddha dominates the sanctum. The great rotating prayer wheels, priceless thangkas, the drone of monks in prayer, sputtering butter lamps are an evocative vision. Amazing collection of manuscripts, books and other artifacts in the monastery increases its value multifold. 

A 40 feet Namgyal stupa is about 1 Km from Tawang town and it exemplifies the supreme sacrifice of 2420 brave Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1962 Indo-Sino War. This stupa like structure is located on a slope just before reaching the main town. This War Memorial was blessed by the Dalai Lama in 1997 and is called Namgyal Chortan by the locals. Led up by few steps and surrounded by are walls of black granite. The names of the soldiers who laid down their lives in the Kameng sector during the war are inscribed on this granite plates.