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DIRANG
Dirang is a picturesque town, situated on the banks of Kameng River, in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. Standing at an altitude of 4900 ft above the sea level, it is surrounded by lush green mountains, with a majority of the town's population consisting of the Monpa Tribe. Dirang’s landscape is a wonderful blend of forests, snow-capped mountains, hot springs, enormous acres of orchards, and various beautiful halts by the riverfront.
During the colonial period, the Britishers used the strategic location of the town to aid military operations during World War II. After India gained independence in 1947, it became a part of the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA). Dirang has since developed into a major town and a much favoured tourist destination in the state. Today, it is a melting pot of diverse cultures, with people belonging to the Monpa, Aka, Sherdukpen tribes and Tibetans living in the town. Their cultures and traditions are reflected in the town’s architecture, cuisine, and its various festivals.
Dirang Monpas, also known as Tshangla Monpas, are one of the three major subdivisions within the Monpa tribe and their language is almost identical to that used in eastern Bhutan. They are the largest tribe in Dirang and mostly profess the Mahayana Buddhist faith. Initially, the Dirang Monpas practised pastoralism and trade, but have now taken up shifting cultivation and terrace farming after adapting to the hilly slopes. Dirang Monpas live in close settlements and domesticate animals like yaks, cows, pigs and sheep. Traditional houses of bamboo and timber are built on raised platforms to make levelled floors. These are usually constructed in the ninth month of the Buddhist calendar, DawaGupa (October-November), as during this period the people are free from agricultural works. Carpet making, bamboo weaving, wood carving, thangka painting, and the making of wooden bowls are some important forms of arts and crafts practised in Dirang.
Dirang is best known for the Dirang Dzong. A historic fortress, it is believed to have been constructed in 1831 and is still inhabited by the local population. It is built upon a hillock near the banks of the Dirang Chu river, and is said to have been built to protect its inhabitants from invaders. Being one of the oldest Monpa structures, Dirang Dzong holds a very important place in the history of the Monpa people.
Located near the Dirang Market is theThupsung Dhargye Ling Gompa (monastery), which is a place of worship and an institute for the study of Tibetan Buddhism for the monks and laymen. It was established in 2016 and consecrated by the Dalai Lama on 5th April 2017. The name of the monastery was also given by the Dalai Lama and means, ‘Place of Flourishing of the Buddha’s Speech’ in Tibetan.
The National Research Centre on Yak, established in the year 1989 under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), is also located in Dirang. This centre is the sole authority on research strategy formulation on sustainable development of Yak husbandry in the country. Monpas are a herding community, and Yak is used for transportation, and food, with its milk being used to make the local cheese called churpi. Its wool, hair and felt, is also used for making traditional Monpa clothes and hats. Apart from its breathtaking natural beauty, Dirang has a rich and distinct culture which is an ode to its ancient beliefs and traditions.
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