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Tawang (3,000 m), Arunachal Pradesh · 27.5857°, 91.8560°
The largest monastery in India and second-largest in the world, a walled town of 65 residences above the Tawang valley, founded under the Fifth Dalai Lama's authority. The Sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, was born nearby — a fact at the heart of the region's spiritual geography; its library preserves great Kangyur scripture sets.
Merak Lama, unable to choose a site, prayed for a sign — his horse (ta) wandered off and was found grazing on this spur (wang, 'chosen/blessed'): Tawang, the place the horse chose.
Tawang is reached overland on the Guwahati–Bhalukpong–Bomdila–Dirang road, about 480 km and 14 to 16 hours, over hill stretches that turn difficult in snow or heavy rain. The nearest railheads are Rangapara North or Tezpur in Assam, with onward travel by road; airports are Tezpur (Salonibari) about 330 km away, Itanagar (Hollongi) about 440 km and Guwahati about 480 km, and a helicopter runs Guwahati–Tawang in roughly an hour when weather allows. Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit and foreign nationals a Protected Area Permit.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Monpa (under Gelug patronage)