A home to Buddhist Lamas and monks at Bomdila in the west Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, the Bomdila Gompa or monastery is one of the most prominent centres of the Lamaistic faith of Mahayana Buddhism. A replica of the Tsona Gontse monastery at Tsona in the southern Tibet, the Bomdila monastery(also known as the Gentse Gaden Rabgyel Lling monastery) was set up by the twelfth reincarnate of the Tsona Gontse Rinpoche. The reincarnate who was born in Morshing, west Kameng, had established this monastery in the year 1965 before his death in 1966. However, the Rinpoche, the thirteenth reincarnation, Tsona Gontse Rinponche renovated and enlarged the monastery by including a huge main prayer hall, which was further blessed by His Highness the 14th Holi Dalai Lama in 1997.
The Gompa comprises a prayer hall, used by the Lamas and the monks for peace prayers, a temple of the Buddha and residential quarters for the monks. Besides the prayers and tantrayana practices, the young monks are also taught about the monastic life and tradition and different subjects by the senior Lamas or the monks of the monastery.
Bomdila
The colourful land of Bomdila, which lies amidst the graceful Himalayan ranges at a height of 8500 feet above the sea level, is the headquarter of the western Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The small and beautiful land of Bomdila is an attractive destination for the tourists from all across the globe, who come here to get themselves pampered by the mother nature and have a closer look of Indian culture, Buddhist tradition and hospitable locales of the north eastern India. An ideal place for trekking, the land of Bomdila and its culture is under a strong Tibetan cultural and traditional influence, and therefore, also nests many Gompas or monasteries.
Other Attractions of Bomdila
- Craft Centre: The district of Bomdila homes a major craft centre, presenting the wondrous artistic skills of the locales. The craft centre exhibits a wide range of designed dragon carpets, thangka wall hangings and numerous paintings.
- Tipi: Tipi, situated on the bank of the river Bharali in the West Kameng district, is only few kilometers away from Bomdila. Tipi is a home to the Asia's largest Orchid along with the one of the India's largest Orchid Research Centres. Surrounded by evergreen dense forest, Tipi houses more than 500 species of orchids such as Dendrobium and Dainty Lady's Slipper.
- Bhalukpong : Bhalukpong, which lies about 85 kilometers away from Bomdila on the foothills of Aka ranges, is an ideal picnic spot. The picturesque site is also a home to the Jia-Bharali river and a hot spring, which is believed to have a medicinal value.
Festivals
The Bomdila monastery, a follower of the Mahayana school of Buddhism, celebrates numerous festivals important in a Buddhist's life. Losar, being the major one, is celebrated to mark the beginning of the New Year according to the Monapa calendar. This festival goes on for 15 days, in which prayers are offered along with hoisting of the prayer flags. Another festival, Saka Dawa, held on the fourth month of the lunar calendar, marks the day of the Buddha's enlightenment. Torgya is another major occasion celebrated for three days i the eleventh month of the lunar calendar to rejoice the victory of good over the evil. Dukpa Tse-Shi, observed in the 6th month according to the lunar calendar honours the fist sermon delivered by the Buddha while the Lhabab Duechen festival marks the reincarnation of the Buddha in His Shakyamuni form, celebrated on the ninth month of the calendar.
How To Reach
By Air - The nearest airports are at Guwahati(342 km), the state capital of Assam, and Tezpur in Assam situated at a distance of 160 kilometers.
By Rail - The nearest railhead of Bomdila is at Tezpur, 160 kilometers away, but the most convenient railway station is at Guwahati(342 km), which is connected by numerous major trains like the Rajdhani Express to different cities of India like Delhi, Kolkata and Patna.
By Road - Bomdila is easily accessible by road from Tezpur(160 km) in Assam, and can be reached by a local bus or a jeep.
