Dirang - Charm of Arunachal

 
Dirang is a small lovely town in Arunachal Pradesh. It gets visitors mainly because people take a break here on the way to Tawang. But it has a charm of its own.

Situated in a green valley, it offers lovely mountain views. 'I love Dirang' carved on the mountain captures the eyes. Clear night sky gives an opportunity to look at the bright stars.

Absolutely beautiful Dirang monastery is adorable. H.H. Dalai lama stays here when he visits Arunachal. It is a new monastery... The sculptures and colors are fresh. Lovely plants around add to the beauty of the place. Dirang valley looks amazing from the top. 

If you haven't seen kiwi plant, you may visit Kiwi garden. It is not a commercialized place. Agro tourism is unheard of.  You can walk in just like that. It was off season for kiwi plants. The plants were pruned. And we could just spot a lonely kiwi fruit. 

There is a sheep breeding farm as well. But sheep had gone for grazing. 

Sangti valley near Dirang is also a good place to relax. Sangti river flows quietly among the mountains. The village also also has few Homestays.

There is just one narrow road going from the market with no parking space. People park the vehicles anywhere they wish. Because of this there is always a traffic jam. We were stuck here on the way to Tawang for 1 hour.

Young boys in the town love to fly around on their mountain bikes.  One offered free advice to our driver on how to drive across the narrow roads.

Arunachal is filled with green, natural beauty.  Women here are absolutely hard working. One can see them in action most of the time. Carrying a baby on the back, they go on with their lives. Difficulties bring people to action.

Arunachal is not developed like other parts of the world. That's why it is serene, calm, and peaceful. Natural beauty is in abundance at places such as Tawang, Dirang. 

Arunachal has a unique charm. Simplicity of the place and people definitely gives you something to learn and cherish.

Meghalaya - The abode of clouds

Meghalaya is serene with rich biodiversity. It is truly an abode of cloud coming from the Bay of Bengal. Well, Cherrapunji (Sohra), Mawsynram- the wettest places on earth are located here.

Beautifully flowing waterfalls are all over. Meghalaya looks different in Monsoon and Winter. At the end of winter, most of the waterfalls were either dry or had less flow. However, the water accumulated below was crystal clear with blue-green water. The same water becomes muddy in Monsoon.

If you travel Cherrapunji from Shillong, you will be disheartened to see the huge environmental destruction. Mountains are being flattened taking out limestone from them. Yes, the same limestone is needed for making cement. The cement industry thrives on deposits of limestone from some environmentally rich areas like Meghalaya. The rampant construction work taking place all over the country requires cement. Where does it come from and at what cost?

Due to mining, the particulate matter in the air is at an alarming level. In a remote place like Cherrapunji, the air pollution level is high.

Moreover, stones needed for construction are also collected by destroying hills. They say the stones are also dispatched to Bangladesh illegally. 

Well, destruction is easy, conservation needs efforts.

Meghalaya is divided into three regions. Khasi, Garo and Jaintia. Each region has unique terrain with different ecosystems. Most of the people are converted to Christianity. People generally like to keep their surroundings clean. Most of the villages organize cleanliness drives regularly.

Khasis - the largest ethnic community in Meghalaya is one of the last existing Matrilineal society in the world. The youngest daughter inherits ancestral property and it is her responsibility to look after her parents in old age. Husbands live in the mother-in-law’s house and the children take the mother’s surname.  Women also work outside and household responsibilities are equally shared among family members. 

Truly, Meghalaya is a unique state in India and special among seven sisters as well.
Do visit Meghalaya- the abode of clouds (before the destruction level goes to peak and everything is leveled)!