Bomdila Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Bomdila

Conjoining the Sessa Orchid Sanctuary to the Northeast is the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, which is also a protected area at the foothills of the Himalayas, at the West Kameng District. The Red Eagle Division of the Indian Army was posted in this area during the 1950s, and hence the name 'Eaglenest'.

To the east of this sanctuary is the Kameng River. Due to the large variety of bird species seen at the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, it is a famous Birding Sight for the visitors. The Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary is safeguarded from timber and animal poaching, mostly because it is isolated.

As this sanctuary has an unpaved road which allows access to the entire altitudinal range, it becomes easier for the military, scientists and eco-tourists to get here. As a major birding site, the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary houses about 454 species of birds, some of the prominent ones being Cormorants, Black Stork, Oriental White Ibis, Ducks, Hawks, Nightjars, Vultures, Fairy-Bluebirds, Larks, Flycatchers, Kingfishers and so on.

Along with birds, Eaglenest Sanctuary is also the home of 15 species of mammals such as the endangered Capped Langur, Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Red Panda, Asiatic Black Bear etc.

In addition, this wildlife sanctuary also has 34 different species of amphibians, 24 species of snakes and 7 species of lizards. Eaglenest also includes a few rare species such as the Darjeeling False-wolf snake and the Gunther's Kukri Snake.

The Gontse Gaden Rabgyel Lling monastery, also famous as the GRL Monastery, houses the Buddhist Lamas and monks at Bomdila. It is also recognized as one of the major centres of the Lamaistic faith of Mahayana Buddhism.

The GRL monastery is situated in the Western Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh and was built by the 12th reincarnate of Tsona Gontse Rinpoche in 1965–66. The main Gompa has three divisions, namely, the Lower Gompa, the Middle Gompa and the Upper Gompa.

The Upper Gompa is considered to be the main monastery. While the Lower Gompa is situated at the end of the main market area, depicting the richness of Tibetan architecture, the Middle Gompa can be found at about 2 km from the main market.

There is a vast prayer hall inside the Lower Gompa. Popular belief says that ringing the bell of the Gompa fulfils one's wishes. At the Middle Gompa, there is the Blue Medicine Buddha, which is also known as the Lord of Medications, as this deity is believed to cure diseases, by the locals.

People perform prayers and meditation to undergo healing. The Middle Gompa is the oldest of all three gompas. Apart from the Lower and the Middle Gompas, the GRL Monastery also has the Upper Gompa which is the main part of the monastery. It houses a school for the monk's children, along with a prayer hall and a Buddha temple.

The Upper gompa has proven to be a major tourist attraction over the years for its peaceful Buddhist preachings. As this Gompa comprises of a vibrant building surrounded by the serene atmosphere, it gives the visitors unmatched peace of mind. This Gompa is said to be a replica of the Tsona Gontse monastery at Tsona of southern Tibet. There is a prayer hall in the GRL monastery where the Lamas and the monks offer prayers.

The Lamas live at a residential quarters which is located near the main gompa. The senior Lamas of the monastery engage in educating the younger Lamas about the Tantrayana practices and the monastic way of life.

Bhalukpong is one such town, which is situated at a distance of about 100 km from the town of Bomdila. As this town is 213 m above the sea level, the visitors will be able to get a great view of nature. This town can also be reached from Tezpur as it is at a distance of just 52 km.

According to history, Bhalukpong was ruled by the local tribal rulers known as the 'Aka'. The town was also subjected to occasional political dominance from Bhutan and Assam. During the British rule in 1873, this area of Arunachal Pradesh was declared off-limits. The locals of Bhalukpong, who mostly belong to the Aka tribes celebrate the annual festival called the 'Nyethi dow' in January.

Apart from its scenic beauty, the town of Bhalukpong also offers recreational activities to the visitors, the major ones being Fish Angling and River Rafting, as it is located along the Kameng River.

Additionally, some of the other tourists attractions of Bhalukpong are the Pakhui Game Sanctuary and the Tipi Orchidariurm, where the visitors can treat their eyes to over 2600 cultivated orchids from 80 variety of species.

The Kameng Elephant Reserve is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas of the West Kameng and East Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh. This Reserve was established on 19th June 2002, to manage the population of Large Asiatic Elephants present in this region.

The Kameng reserve extends from the Papum River in the East until it reaches the common boundary between Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan. The Sessa Orchid Sanctuary, the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, the Pakhuli Tiger Reserve and the Reserved Forests under Khellong Forest Division are all a part of this Elephant Reserve.

The Kameng Elephant Reserve has tropical semi-evergreen plantation. In addition, this Reserve also has a rich population of animals including Indian Elephants, Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Red Panda, Musk Deer, Sambhar, Hog Deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Wild Dog, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Sunda Loris, Indian Bison, Fox, Black Giant Squirrel, Capped Langur, Yellow-throated marten etc. Additionally, the visitors can also witness about 250 types of butterflies and 300 species of birds.

One of the major attractions at Bomdila is the Sessa Orchid Sanctuary, a 100-km protected area, located in the foothills of the Himalayas in Bhalukpong. It is joined by the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary at the Southwest.

As the Department of Environment and Forests has created trekking routes along this area, it has become a popular spot among the visitors, where they can experience the natural habitat of orchids. At the Sessa Sanctuary, the majestic mountain terrains, the valleys and the gorges create an inviting atmosphere for tourists who are adventurous. There is also a nursery at the Sessa Orchid Sanctuary which showcases representative specimens of an array of Orchid species.

With more than 200 orchid species, including seven endemic species of Aprotrophic orchids, the Sessa Orchid Sanctuary can definitely be a visual treat to all the nature-lovers. Genres of orchids such as Dendorbium, Bulbophyllum, Coelogyne, Eria, Phaius, Liparis and more can be witnessed at this sanctuary. The Sessa Orchid Sanctuary can be found at Sessa, which is about 24 km away from Tipi on way to Bomdila.