Set in the foothills of Himalayas, Itanagar is a peaceful city and also the capital of Arunachal Pradesh state of India. Homing the historic Ita Fort, the city is partly surrounded by orchids, forests, and ferns.
The natives of Itanagar
The city was originally inhabited by the Nyishis, a tribal community of the region. Itanagar homes a number of tribes of the northeast Indian region. Mostly the residents of Itanagar follow Buddhism and Tibetan culture. Hence, a traveler can find a number of Buddhist temple in and around Itanagar.
Festivals of Itanagar
Itanagar makes a great cultural holiday destination, as there is a plethora of celebration here. Some of the remarkable festivals are-
- Nyokum: It is the festival of the Nyishi tribe, celebrated every year in the month of February for the prosperity of the people.
- Solung: It is an agricultural festival celebrated during monsoon (usually in the month of July or August).
- Losar: It is the new year festival of the Monpa tribe of the region.
- Boori Boot: It is a festival celebrated to cherish successful harvest of crops.
Landmarks of Itanagar
Gekar Sinyi
Also known as Ganga Lake, Gekar Sinyi is a beautiful natural lake surrounded by hard rocks. Around the lake, one can also encounter prehistoric vegetation (flora), orchids, and ferns.
Ita Fort
It is the historic landmark of the region. In fact, the city of Itanagar is named after this fort. Constructed during the 14th century, Ita Fort translates to a mansion of brick. The fort has three entrance gates on three different sides.
Gompa
Gompa is a Buddhist temple, consecrated by the Dalai Lama. The temple reflects the Tibetan architectural influence and offers a great countryside view.
Which is the best season to visit Itanagar?
Itanagar witnesses a humid subtropical climate. It has dry, mild winters and warm, wet summers. Hence, you can simply pack your bag and hop on anytime here, for instance, weekends, Christmas holidays, summer vacations, etc.
If you are planning a northeast India tour, you can also book a cab in Itanagar for sightseeing and onward journey.
Useful Links-
Itanagar: One day trip planner