The Tamladu Festival is a significant cultural and religious event celebrated by the Mishmi tribes, specifically the Digaru (Tawra) and Miju (Kaman) Mishmisin the Lohit and Dibang Valley districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Held annually on February 15, the festival serves as a vibrant expression of the Mishmi community's deep-rooted traditions and reverence for nature.
Shrines and monasteries feature serene architecture with stupas, golden pagodas, prayer flags, and murals.
Centers for spiritual learning, meditation, and rituals.
Fusion of indigenous tribal culture and Tibetan Buddhist art
Sites of peaceful meditation, cultural immersion, and spiritual retreats
Presence of relics, Thangka paintings, and large Buddha statues
Chongkham Monastery – Chongkham, Lohit District
Golden Pagoda (Kongmu Kham) – Namsai, ~60 km from Tezu
Local Gompas – In Tezu and Roing towns
Tezu Buddhist Shrine: 27.9172° N, 96.1723° E
Open Daily: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Special pujas during Buddha Purnima and local Buddhist festivals
Lighting butter lamps
Meditation and chanting
Turning prayer wheels
Offering food and alms to monks
Well-connected via state highways from Assam and Arunachal towns
Sumo/shared jeep services between Tinsukia → Tezu/Roing
Nearest Station: Tinsukia (Assam) – ~160 km from Tezu
Well-connected to cities like Guwahati, Delhi, and Kolkata
Tezu Airport (TEI) – Limited flights
Dibrugarh Airport (DIB), Assam – ~180 km (frequent flights)
Shared jeeps, rental cars from Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, or Itanagar
Tour guides available in Tezu and Roing
Local tribal food, Tibetan dishes (thukpa, momos), and Indian meals
Homestays and monasteries may offer vegetarian meals
Tourist lodges in Tezu and Roing
Guesthouses in Wakro and Chongkham
Monastery accommodations available (basic but serene)
Route Type | Description |
Bus | Tinsukia/Dibrugarh → Tezu via NH13 |
Train | Any major city → Tinsukia Junction → road to Tezu |
Air | Fly to Dibrugarh (DIB) → cab to Tezu/Roing |
Tezu, Wakro, Roing, Namsai
Parashuram Kund – Hindu pilgrimage site on Lohit River
Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary – Rich biodiversity
Glow Lake – Trekking spot, natural beauty
Golden Pagoda, Namsai – Burmese-style Buddhist monument
November to April – Pleasant weather
February – Best for witnessing Tamladu Festival
Tribal Textiles – Handwoven by Mishmi and Tai Khamti communities
Buddhist Items – Prayer wheels, incense, statues
Crafts – Bamboo & cane items, wooden masks, ornaments
Markets – Local weekly markets in Tezu and Roing
Location | Latitude | Longitude |
Tezu (Shrines) | 27.9172° N | 96.1723° E |
Chongkham Monastery | 27.9860° N | 95.8852° E |
Roing | 28.1328° N | 95.8283° E |
Parashuram Kund | 27.9202° N | 96.4752° E |
Golden Pagoda (Namsai) | 27.5566° N | 95.8321° E |
Whether you’re a seeker of divine tranquility, a lover of ancient traditions, or an adventurous traveler tracing lesser-known spiritual paths, Lohit and Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh offer a rare confluence of tribal vibrance and Buddhist calm. From the rhythmic chants of monks in golden pagodas to the festive drums of the Tamladu celebration echoing through the valleys, every corner of this land tells a sacred story.Pack your bags, secure your Inner Line Permit, and let Arunachal’s eastern hills unfold their timeless charm before you.