The Itanagar Buddhist temple, located on top of the hill in Arunachal Pradesh, is one of the latest Budhist temples in India. A yellow-roofed shrine, the temple reflects an extensive Tibetan influence. There is a stupa in front of the temple which carries the portrait of a Buddhist monk. Frequently visited by the tourists, the temple has a tree on its one of the sides which was planted by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Itanagar
The capital of Arunachal Pradesh, the easternmost state of India, Itanagar is also known as 'the land of the dawn lit mountains'. Sitauated on the foothills, 350 meters above the sea level, Itanagar is a modern city that was developed not prior to the 14th-15th century CE. Today, Itanagar, which is first to embrace the rays of the rising sun in India, is the place adored by a large section of the tourists.
Other Attractions
Besides a Buddhist temple, Itagagar has numerous attractions in and around it such as the Itafort, Buddhist monastery, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Museum, and the Ganga lake (Geykar Sinyi) and the Zoo.
- Ganga Sekhi lake: The Ganga Sekhi Lake, which is at a mere distance of 6 kilometers from Itanagar, is a gift of nature to the humans. Surrounded by a dense forest - tall bamboo trees and tree ferns, the picturesque lake is an ideal picnic spot.
- Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Museum : The state museum of Itangar, which is also known as Jawaharlal Nehru memorial museum, homes a number of archaeological artifacts, ornaments, basketry, weapons and numerous household articles of the tribals.
- Ita Fort: The Ita fort, belonging to the medieval period, is one of the major tourists attractions of Itanagar.
- Bomdila: Bomdila, which offers a view of the high Himalayas, Buddhist monasteries and the crafts centres, is a place worth taking excursion from Itanagar.
Accessibility
The Itanagar Buddhist temple, situated in Itanagar, is easily accessible. The nearest airports from Itanagar are at Lilabari, 67 kilometers away and Tezpur, 216 kilometers from Itanagar. Lilabari is a small airport and flights operate only from a few destinations, whereas the Tezpur airport entertains flights from Kolkata and other cities. The nearest railhead from Itanagar are at Harmuti in Assam, 32 kilometers away and North Lakhimpur in Assam, at a distance of 60 kilometers. Bus services are also available from Guwahati(state capital of Assam) and other north eastern places to reach Itanagar.
Best Months to Visit
The temple can be visited throughout the year, but the best months to visit the place are during the months of October to April, owing to the pleasant whether of the place.